Milky Way Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa var. chinensis 'Milky Way')
KOR-nus KOO-sah variety chin-EN-sis 'Milky Way'

Deciduous Perennial Tree in the Cornaceae Family
 

Cornus kousa, commonly known as the kousa dogwood, is a stunning small tree or multi-stemmed shrub native to East Asia. Growing twenty to twenty-five feet tall and wide, this deciduous ornamental features an elegant, tiered branching habit that lends both structure and visual interest to the landscape. In late spring to early summer, Cornus kousa erupts in a profusion of showy, creamy white bracts that resemble delicate flowers, creating a dazzling floral display that attracts pollinators. These captivating blooms mature into edible, raspberry-like fruits that ripen to a deep red in the fall, providing additional seasonal interest. The lustrous, deep green foliage of Cornus kousa also offers remarkable autumn color, transitioning to vivid shades of red, pink, and purple before dropping to reveal the plant's exfoliating, multi-colored bark. A versatile and hardy species, kousa dogwood thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to a variety of well-drained soil types. Its compact, refined stature makes it an excellent choice as a specimen tree, patio plant, or accent in mixed borders, delivering year-round beauty and charm to the garden.

 

Plant Data

Mature Size 15 - 20 feet tall. 15 - 20 feet wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Full Sun, Medium, Medium, Ornamental Tree, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Showy Flowers
Bloom Period April to May
Flower Color Creamy White Bracts
 

More Info from Experts

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Techny American Arborvitae
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!