Cornus kousa chinensis 'Milky Way'Kousa dogwood

It grows at first as a vigorous shrub, progressively forming a small tree, often multi-stem. The crown becomes broad, dense and open in a vase shape, taking on an almost fan-like silhouette in mature specimens. It can reach approximately 4 to 6 metres in height and a similar width.

In early summer, the small yellowish-green flowers appear surrounded by four creamy-white bracts. Produced in great quantity and distributed throughout the branching, the bracts form an almost continuous white surface over the crown, creating the luminous effect that gave rise to the name ‘Milky Way’.

The leaves are oval, pointed and dark green, with a blue-green underside and slightly wavy margins. After flowering, numerous red fruits may form, rounded and resembling small strawberries. In autumn, the foliage takes on tones of orange, red and purple.

The grey bark begins to peel in mature specimens, adding texture and interest during the winter. It grows best in sun or partial shade, in fertile, moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter, preferably acidic to neutral in reaction.

It is suited to gardens, large courtyards, parks and compositions where it can be used on its own as a focal point. In mature specimens from Diaplant, the already developed crown multiplies the number of visible bracts and gives, from the moment of planting, the characteristic effect of a white constellation spread across the whole tree.