Pink Kousa Dogwood

The Pink Kousa Dogwood grows to a mature height of 15-20 feet, making it ideal as a specimen or understory tree. The manageable size of this popular ornamental tree means it can be sited in several places in a residential landscape. Pink Kousa Dogwoods grow an average of 1-2 feet per year.

Pink Kousa Dogwood growth rate is considered to be moderate, compared to some other ornamental trees. Pink Kousa Dogwoods grow an average of 1-2 feet per year. Growth rates can vary depending on factors such as soil quality, sunlight exposure, moisture levels, and overall environmental conditions.

After planting, Pink Kousa Dogwood trees are acclimating to their environment and establishing root systems, which may result in slower growth rates. As the tree matures, its growth rate may gradually increase.

Pink Kousa Dogwood may not be the fastest-growing tree in the landscape, but its stunning blooms, colorful foliage, and attractive bark make it a standout in any garden. Pink Kousa Dogwoods reach about 15 feet in 18 years.

If your priority is a tidy and well-kept ornamental tree, the Pink Flowering Dogwood tree (Cornus kousa) is a great option.
All ornamental trees naturally shed some leaves, flowers, and small twigs over the course of the year. But the Pink Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa) tends to produce less debris, due to its unique flowering habit. The flowers of the Pink Kousa Dogwood are abundant and showy, but do not drop in large quantities quickly. Another plus is that the foliage of Pink Kousa Dogwood typically remains on the tree throughout the growing season and as it transitions into its attractive fall colors. With a Pink Kousa Dogwood, there is generally less leaf litter, as compared to other deciduous trees. Another plus is the relatively compact growth habit of the Pink Flowering Dogwood. Its branches are more contained in a vase-shape, and less likely to sprawl. If your priority is a tidy and well-kept ornamental tree, consider the Cornus kousa as a great option.

While both Pink Dogwood and Pink Kousa Dogwood are prized for their exquisite pink flowers and ornamental qualities, each tree has unique characteristics. We’ll touch upon three of the biggest distinctions: species, flower and bark.

Pink Dogwood belongs to the species Cornus florida, and it is native to North America. The Pink Kousa Dogwood is a cultivar of Cornus kousa, an East Asia native tree.

Both trees produce pink flowers, but the appearance of the flowers differs. Pink Dogwood flowers are typically larger and more rounded, with four distinctive petal-like bracts surrounding a cluster of small yellow flowers in the center. In contrast, Pink Kousa Dogwood flowers are slightly smaller and more pointed, giving the blooms a star-like appearance.

Pink Dogwoods bloom in early spring, usually before or as leaves emerge. The Pink Kousa Dogwood blooms in late spring to early summer, after its leaves have fully emerged. After flowering, both trees produce fruit, but the appearance and timing of fruiting differ.

The bark of Pink Dogwood (Cornus florida) is smooth and grayish-brown, while Pink Kousa Dogwood has distinctively exfoliating bark, peeling away to reveal a mottled pattern of tan, brown, and gray.

If you are choosing between these two standout dogwood trees, we hope the characteristics we’ve highlighted will help with your decision-making.

Our trees and shrub heights are measured from the top of the root ball to the top of the plant. We do not include the root system in our measurements. You can be assured that if we sell a tree at 4 to 5 feet high that after planting the tree will be 4 to 5 feet tall after planting.

You might see our sizes listed as 4 to 5 feet tall. Simply put, trees and shrubs grow. We are always pruning our plants to promote better branching and fuller canopies. This ensures you receive a plant that has been properly pruned to ensure health and vitality. Doing this can often change the height by 6 to 8 inches. By grading trees into 1-foot increments it assures you that you get what you’re paying for. Oftentimes our trees are sold above the height we specify but we never ship a plant that does not make the minimum height we specify.