Cornus kousa China Girl
Price range: €65.00 through €800.00
Frequently Bought Together
Description
Quick Facts
Height & Spread: 4-6m height, 3-4m spread (at maturity, 15-20 years)
Hardiness: Fully hardy (RHS H6, -20°C to -15°C)
Soil Requirements: Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Enriching with organic matter will help her flourish.
Aspect: Full sun to partial shade; best flowering occurs in sun with some afternoon shade
Flowering Period: Late May to June
Foliage: Deciduous; ovate leaves, dark green in summer, spectacular red-purple autumn colour
Special Features: Four-season interest, stunning floral display, edible fruits, exceptional autumn colour, architectural form, low maintenance
Uses: Specimen tree, focal point, woodland garden, mixed border, courtyard garden, wildlife garden
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract pollinators; fruits enjoyed by birds in autumn
Maintenance: Low maintenance once established. Minimal pruning required—simply remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter. Mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Planting Tips: Plant in spring or autumn when the soil is workable. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball but no deeper. Position so the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with a mixture of excavated soil and well-rotted compost. Water thoroughly and mulch around the base, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
Garden Notebook: Expert Tips from Caragh Nurseries
Why ‘China Girl’ deserves a place in your garden: Unlike her American cousin (Cornus florida), the Chinese Dogwood is remarkably resistant to anthracnose disease, making her a far more reliable choice for Irish gardens. Her late flowering means she escapes late frosts that can damage earlier-blooming varieties.
The secret to spectacular colour: Whilst ‘China Girl’ is tolerant of various conditions, she truly excels when given morning sun and afternoon shade, particularly in warmer gardens. This protects her delicate bracts from scorching whilst ensuring abundant flowering. In our Irish climate, full sun positions work beautifully.
Patience rewards: Young specimens may take 3-4 years to flower abundantly, but this patience is richly rewarded. Once established, she becomes more floriferous each year, eventually covering herself in those magnificent white bracts.
Perfect companions: Underplant ‘China Girl’ with shade-tolerant perennials like hostas, ferns, or hellebores that appreciate her dappled canopy. Spring bulbs such as bluebells or wood anemones create a magical woodland effect beneath her branches.
A note on fruits: The raspberry-like fruits are edible with a sweet, tropical flavour reminiscent of mango and persimmon. They’re delicious fresh or can be used in jams, though you may find yours
Additional information
| Pot Size | 35L 175-200cm, 7.5L 100-120cm, 70L 200-250cm, 110L 200-250cm |
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