The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: China Girl Chinese kousa dogwood

Family: Cornaceae (dogwood family)

Distribution: Species native to e. Asia

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Deciduous tree

Comments: A small, low-branched, deciduous tree to 20' tall and wide. This plant originated from Holland and is valued for its early flowers (late May) and prominent bracts. True flowers are small, greenish yellow in dense heads. Large, 2" wide, flower bracts, 4 in all, color white and may persist for several weeks. Fruits are a combination of many carpels (syncarp) and when ripe, are similar to strawberries on stalks, 1-2" across. Leaves are opposite, simple, lustrous dark green and change to shades of red and purple in autumn.