Next Generation Of Kousa Dogwoods

Cornus kousa ‘Scarlet Fire’ (photo by Dr. Thomas J. Molnar)

‘Scarlet Fire’ is a 2017 introduction from Rutgers University with 4-5 inch wide, fade-proof, dark pink floral bracts. This Kousa dogwood tree is also heat and drought tolerant and highly disease resistant.

‘Wolf Eyes’ is a compact tree (10-20 feet tall) or multi-branched shrub form; creamy white variegated foliage is scorch-resistant. Wolf Eyes flaunts eye-catching gray-green leaves with wavy margins. Star-shaped white flowers which fade into the strongly variegated foliage. Bright-red berries follow in late summer. Slow growing specimen.

Venus® is another hybrid dogwood (Cornus kousa ‘Chinensis’ x C. nuttalii ‘Goldspot’ x C. kousa ‘Rosea’) bred at Rutgers University. Venus is noted for its vigorous habit, large-bracted flowers, profuse bloom and disease resistance to anthracnose and powdery mildew. The unusually large floral bracts measure 6–7 inches across. This small (20-25 feet tall) deciduous tree has a dense, low-branched, spreading habit.

Little Ruby® is compact shrub that’s great utilized in mass plantings. It is equally beautiful as a miniature specimen tree. The semi-double pink flower bracts are very attractive with bright red leaves on new spring growth. Leaves turn rich maroon in summer and persist late into fall. It also exhibits excellent disease resistance (zones 6-10) and is semi-evergreen to 15°F. Little Ruby roots easily from cuttings. 

‘Little Poncho’ is a diminutive dogwood, 8-10 feet tall, ideal for planting in small garden spaces and large containers. It creates multi-seasonal appeal with creamy white spring flowers, spring and summer pest-free dark green foliage, and finishing with decorative raspberry-like fruits and maroon, red leaf color in fall. 

Cornus kousa ‘Poncho’ on ETSU Campus in Johnson City, TN
Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Comments are closed.