Kousa Dogwoods that Resist Disease

Dogwoods
for
Pacific Northwest Gardens
A S u r v e y o f S e l e c t e d K o u s a D o g w o o d V a r i e t i e s
by Ralph Byther
Professor Emeritus, Plant Pathology
Kousa dogwoods (Cornus kousa)—also
referred to as Korean, Chinese, or
Japanese dogwood—can be planted as
ornamental trees in the Pacific Northwest.
There are many varieties available which
exhibit a wide range of horticultural characteristics.
Flower bracts (upper left) may be
snowy white, cream-colored, or even light
pink or deep rose in color. They bloom over
an extended period in late spring and
early summer, prefer full sun exposure, and
many also provide consistent and striking
fall color (lower left). Some varieties produce
abundant, colorful fall fruit (upper right)—which
can be useful as a food source for wildlife.
Perhaps their greatest advantage, however,
lies in their resistance to dogwood anthracnose
(lower right)—a fungal disease which can
cause unsightly leaf and bract damage,
defoliation, and even death to both western
and eastern native dogwoods.

Selected Varieties of
Kousa Dogwood
Beni Fuji
‘Beni Fuji’ produces an abundance of smaller pink
flower bracts on a slower-growing, spreading tree
form. It demonstrated very good resistance to
anthracnose, good fall color, and abundant fruit
production.
Dwarf Pink
‘Dwarf Pink’ is a moderately slow-growing, spreading
tree with light pink flower bracts; the color is
more intense at the bracts’ outer margins. It showed
very good fall color and fruit production. This variety
had an acceptable level of resistance to anthracnose.
China Girl
‘China Girl’ is a fast-growing tree having an abundance
of large white flower bracts. It characteristically
showed very good anthracnose resistance
and fall color, but had limited fruit production.
Ed Mezitt
‘Ed Mezitt’ has a moderate growth rate with unique
purple- to bronze-colored leaves, which contrast
with the showy white flower bracts. It demonstrated
excellent anthracnose resistance and fall color,
with somewhat limited fruit production.

Moonbeam
‘Moonbeam’ is a fairly vigorous tree having large
white flower bracts. It demonstrated acceptable
anthracnose resistance and very good fall color.
Fruit production is very limited.
Summer Majesty
‘Summer Majesty’ is a moderately fast growing tree
producing large banks of medium-size white flower
bracts over an extended bloom period. It demonstrated
good anthracnose resistance, but poor fall
color and only limited fruit production.
Satomi
‘Satomi’ produces abundant medium pink flower
bracts on a vigorous tree. It showed excellent fall
color, acceptable anthracnose resistance and
limited fruit production.
Wilton
‘Wilton’ is a slower growing white-bracted tree.
Flower bracts hold on the tree for longer than
normal and often have a pinkish tone as they age.
It demonstrated good anthracnose resistance and
fall color while having moderate fruit production.

Cultivars Evaluated at WSU Puyallup
Cornus nuttallii
Baby Splash
Beni Fuji
Big Apple
Blue Shadow
China Girl
Chinensis
Constellation *
Dwarf Pink
Ed Mezitt
Emerald Star
Gold Cup
Gold Star
Highland
Lance Leaf
Lustgarten Weep
Milky Way
Milky Way Select
Moonbeam
National
Porlock **
Red Ryan
Rosabella
Ruth Ellen *
Satomi
Silver Cup
Snow Flake
Speciosa
Square Dance
Stellar Pink *
Summer Majesty
Trinity Star
Tsukabo-no-nine
Twinkle
Wilton
* Hybrid C. kousa × C. florida
** Hybrid C. kousa × C. capitata
Anthracnose
Resistance
Annual
Growth
Fall
Color
Fruit
Production
Note: A single bar represents a low rating in its category compared to other varieties listed (e.g. less disease resistance,
slower growth, poor fall color, limited fruit production). Additional bars indicate a greater strength of the attribute.
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