Habitat
native to Japan, Korea and China
hardy to zone 5
Habit and Form
a small, deciduous tree
reaching about 30′ tall
width equal to or greater than height
shape is rounded at maturity
young plants are vase-shaped
branching is upright and spreading but becomes more horizontal and tiered with age
Summer Foliage
opposite, simple leaves
elliptic to ovate leaf shape
acuminate leaf tip
leaves 2″ to 4″ long and 0.75″ to 1″ wide
tufts of hairs in the vein axils and the leaf undersides
leaf color is a dark medium green
Autumn Foliage
leaves turn red or red-purple
color holds for at least a few weeks
Flowers
flowers are small and greenish-yellow
the flowers are surrounded by four large, showy, pointed bracts
bracts are white, but age to pink
bloom time is early June
bracts last for about 6 weeks, making for a very long effective bloom time
individual bracts are 1″ to 2″ long and about 0.5″ to 0.75″ wide
flowers are held upright along stems
Fruit
dull, raspberry red, pendant fruits when ripe
ripe fruits look somewhat like large raspberries
unripe, green fruits, stand upright along the stems
ripening occurs form late august through October
fruits are mealy, but edible
fruit display can be showy
Bark
older bark develops an exfoliating character, revealing a mix of gray-tan and mahogany brown
the quality of the bark seems to be somewhat variable, but usually of ornamental interest
Culture
full sun to partial shade
prefers a moist, fertile, acidic , well-drained soil high in organic matter
shows better drought resistance than C. florida
it may be desirable to remove some lower branches to reveal the bark
Landscape Use
specimen
lawn tree
small groups or groves
patio tree
useful as a multiseason plant
ornamental appeal form habit, bark, flowering, fruiting and fall foliage color
Liabilities
relatively problem free
ID Features
a small, vase-shaped tree with horizontal branching
mottled exfoliating bark
pointed bract tips in comparison to the rounded bract tips of C. florida
blooms about 2 or 3 weeks after C. florida
red, raspberry-like fruits
flower buds pointed and shaped like and onion
Propagation
by cuttings, although not particularly easy
by seed
Cultivars/Varieties
var. chinensis – This form supposedly flowers more freely and produces larger flower bracts, with leaves that are also said to be larger than average. The validity of this variety, however, is questioned by some authorities.
‘Beni Fuji’ – This form bears the deepest red-pink bracts of any C. kousa cultivar, even stronger than ‘Satomi’. The color may not be as strong in warm summer areas.
‘Elizabeth Lustgarten’ and ‘Lustgarten Weeping’ – Notable for their weeping habits, this duo of cultivars grow to 15′ with branches that arch downwards and bear white blooms. The habit is rounded and gentle, thus a mature specimen is attractive.
‘Gold Star’ – The center of each leaf has a broad gold band on this cultivar, with stems that are somewhat reddish. It is relatively slow-growing, but in time does form a small-medium rounded tree. The flower bracts are white, and the contrast between the red fruit and gold-splashed foliage can be striking.
‘Little Beauty’ – This plant forms a small, densely branched tree that may never exceed 15′ tall. Other traits are as per the species.
‘Milky Way’ – One of the most common cultivars in the trade, this selection of var. chinensis is, however, probably composed of over a dozen similar clones. The plant is extremely floriferous and sets a very heavy crop of fruit. When in bloom, the pure white bracts can conceal the foliage.
‘Satomi’ (also listed as ‘Rosabella’) – This is a very popular cultivar said to develop bright pink bracts. In the United States, however, the warm summers seem to dull the color. As a result, most plants bloom light pink or white-pink. The color can vary from season to season, but ‘Beni Fuji’ probably has deeper pink bracts.
‘Snowboy’ – This form sports gray-green leaves that are edged in white, with occasional splashes of variegation throughout the foliage. While the plant is attractive when well grown, it is very slow-growing and is best sited in a shady location to avoid leaf scorch.
‘Summer Stars’ – The flower bracts on this selection are not as large as those of other cultivars, but they are retained longer. Blooms heavily and grows to 25′ tall with a vase shape.
‘Temple Jewel’ – This is an interesting variegated form with leaves that show a light marbling of green, gold and light pink that turns mostly green with age. It grows well to 20′ tall and wider with a dense habit. The bracts are white.
‘Variegata’ – Various clones exist with differing degrees of yellow or white variegation. The pattern may be unstable, plus the plants can produce green growth reversions. Most are slower growing and benefit from siting in some shade.
‘Wolf Eyes’ – This is a very popular variegated form with leaves that show a uniform white margin. The leaf margins are often prominently wavy, as well. The variegation pattern is quite stable and resistant to burning, though a shaded planting site is still desirable. In fall, the leaves develop attractive pink to red coloration. The plant is shrubby and slow-growing, to 10′ tall and wide.
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