The Kousa Dogwood tree, Cornus kousa, or Japanese Flowering Dogwood, is a handsome small specimen tree or shrub. The Kousa is not as susceptible to disease as the White Dogwood in spring. It is planted as a specimen, near a patio, or in groupings. Kousa Dogwood trees blooms later than the White Dogwood and with a softer petal flower than the White Flowering Dogwood.
This deciduous tree has red fruits that look like a big round raspberry. The fall color is red to maroon. Because of its disease resistance, it is becoming the best replacement for the White Dogwood. The flowering tree, Kousa Dogwood, has low water requirements and displays a moderate tolerance for salt and alkali soils.