Kousa dogwood
Cornus kousa
Also called Cornus kousa and Japanese dogwood
Garden plant · ShrubsTHE WHITE PARTS ARE NOT PETALS — they are bracts, which is why they last a month rather than a week, and why they turn pink rather than dropping. The actual flower is the green button in the middle.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 4 daysDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Full sun to light shade
- Feed
- Every 45 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a very cold winter RHS H6, to -20°C
- Size
- 5 m tall · 4 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- Japan, Korea and China
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsNothing recorded against it
No animal-poison authority lists this plant either way.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-21. Where a source says nothing, we say nothing.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.