Dogwood Tree | Cornus kousa
An absolute stunner
Grown by John
South Downs National Park
Perfectly happy plants, or your money back
Specialist overnight plant delivery
The highlights
- Grows into a neat, usually multi-stemmed tree
- Small to medium-sized tree (up to 7m)
- White bracts and deciduous foliage
- Ideal as a feature tree
Description
- Few trees are as showy or spectacular as flowering dogwood trees - they really are breathtaking when they're in bloom!
- In May and June, the tree becomes wreathed in tiny flower knots (each surrounded by four white bracts) that carpet the tree's foliage like a fresh dusting of snow
- Whilst the tree's flowers may steal the show, its foliage isn't to be sniffed at either! The attractive green leaves take on alluring crimson and red hues in the autumn before they fall
- Perfect for structuring a bed or border around, or for planting in the middle of your front lawn, this is a tree that deserves to be centre stage
- Also known as the Szechuan strawberry, this tree will often produce unusually-shaped pinkish red fruit in autumn, and though these are edible, they're typically treated as ornamental
- Our potted trees are supplied in EcoPots. Eco pots use 70% less plastic and are fully recyclable, unlike normal single use pots. They flex and so produce less root spiralling and travel better in the post
- Our trees are usually between 18 and 36 months old at the time of dispatch
- Our trees are professionally pruned before dispatching. This formative pruning can involve cutting the main leader, if the expert tree growers decide this will produce a better shaped tree. This can stop the tree becoming "leggy", and promote stronger, bushier growth
What To Expect
Supplied as:
Height on arrival:
Eventual height:
Eventual spread:
Time to first crop:
Flower colour:
Habit:
Hardiness:
Rootstock:
Spacing:
How To Grow
Excellent pest and disease resistance
This tree is typically unaffected by pests and diseases, however there are still a few problems that have been known to impact dogwood trees, including scale insects, anthracnose and honey fungus.
Water regularly throughout the growing season
Water your tree regularly throughout the growing season, particularly during dry spells and in the tree's first few years as it properly establishes.
Full sun to partial shade
This tree will grow nicely in both full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day) and partial shade.
Any moist, well-drained, acid or neutral soil
Dogwood trees grow best in slightly acidic soil. You can easily test your soil's pH by using a kit purchased online; if your soil is alkaline (above a pH of 7) then you can add some sulphur to your soil to acidify it. Enriching your soil with some organic matter can also help with keeping the soil nice and moist.
Feed every spring
After you've planted your tree, add some slow-release, general purpose fertiliser and mulch around the tree's base to ensure all the water and nutrients get to the root system. Over time, replace the mulch, and feed the tree with slow-release fertiliser every spring to help the tree maintain its growth and overall health.
Planting Calendar
- Best time to plant
- Harvest
- Flower
South Downs National Park
Meet John
110 years' expertise free with every tree
John’s family have been growing trees in the South Downs National Park for over a century, and it shows. Dug up and sent straight to your garden at between 18-36 months old, their quality rootstocks, expert pruning and natural pest control mean that these traditionally field-grown trees are the hardiest you can get.
What customers say about us
We do our best to provide you the best experience ever
Growing with Roots
Good to know
Our plants are grown in the UK
Specialist UK growers we know and trust grow your plants the traditional way, with organic fertiliser and biological pest control. They pick only the healthiest plants for you, professionally pruning them so that they’ll grow strong and well shaped.
Our plants are delivered overnight
Your plants are sent to you fresh from the field in our plastic free box that’s specially designed to hold them tight, then securely delivered by specialist plant couriers - straight from the grower to your garden within 24 hours.
We're here to help at every step
We want your plants to have a long and healthy life. Expect easy-to-follow grow guides and videos devised by our team of experts.
Perfect plants, guaranteed
We’re confident that you’ll be delighted with your new plants. Need help? Alice and her team are here to guarantee you’re perfectly happy.
Learn from our experts
How To Plant a Tree: Potted Trees and Bare Root
Digging deep to answer your questions
How do I know I'm getting quality plants?
All of our plants are grown in specialist nurseries with the highest standards of plant care and sustainability. We guarantee you'll love them as much as we do! Don't just take our word for it - we've got thousands of great reviews on Trustpilot.
When will I get my plants?
The delivery timescale for each plant is on the web page (near the 'add to basket's button). You'll receive a dispatch email with an exact delivery date once your plants are on their way, so you can get the garden ready.
How will my plants be packed and delivered?
We send all of our orders through a courier network designed to handle plants. Specialist equipment ensures that no plants will be damaged during the packing process and every order is carefully finished and checked by plant-loving humans. Your plants will arrive in the most sustainable packaging possible with minimal to no plastic used.
Where do you deliver?
We deliver to anywhere in Mainland UK for our standard delivery cost. We are able to deliver most plants to Highlands and non UK mainland however this will be at an additional cost. This will be calculated at the checkout. Please note, deliveries to these locations will take longer. Unfortunately, we are not able to deliver to Northern Ireland at present.
Ask the grower
One of our trusted team will get back to you via email
What customers say about us
We do our best to provide you the best experience ever
Best plants you will ever get online
I have ordered plants from them twice this year. They arrived well packaged, on time and looked strong and healthy. I feel the staff from Roots plants deal with their plants and customers with passion and care. I can’t wait to order again, price is good as well.
Peter Mawer
Highly recommended all round
Delivered quickly, perfectly packaged and the tree was in excellent condition. Really healthy and taken to the garden with no problems. Can't recommend highly enough. 5 stars isn't enough!
John Harris
Satisfied customer
Unlike other online sellers, this company are well ahead in the quality stakes. My plant arrived promptly as per their promise and the plant was much more established and healthy than I had expected. It’s the second time I have ordered from them and I have faith in their promise. Excellent service.
Karen McEwan
A really good quality tree
A really good quality tree, delivered on time and very well packaged. But the emailed planting advice and supporting information was what really impressed me. Thoroughly recommended.
Martin C Simmons
Exceptional quality
The quality of the plants was exceptional, unlike ones I have had before from local garden centres. Thank you so much. I will definitely be using you again.
Sara Bradley
Marvelous!
Marvelous service, great plants and fast delivery. Very useful information on how to care for the plants I bought. Easy to use website that makes it far too easy to overindulge in fabulous plants😂🌱
Cheryl Mae Owen