Multi-stem Trees
Cornus kousa var. chinensis
Chinese dogwood
Layered branches covered in pure white bracts in early summer, strawberry-like fruits and crimson autumn colour. Cornus kousa var. chinensis is a multi-stem tree of real elegance.
Showy white bracts in early summer
Red, strawberry-like fruits in late summer
Rich red and crimson autumn colour
A graceful, tiered branch structure
Please check before you visit. Our nursery is very well stocked, but what we hold changes with the seasons, so this plant may not always be in stock. Enquire before you head over and we will check availability and the sizes we have for you.
At a glance
Type
Multi-stem tree
Foliage
Deciduous
Seasons of interest
Early summer flowers, autumn fruit and colour
Eventual size
Typically 4 to 8 m tall
Position
Full sun or partial shade
Soil
Humus-rich, moist but well-drained; neutral to acid
Hardiness
Fully hardy in the UK
Available
A range of sizes and forms. Ask our team for current specimens and pricing.
Why we love it
In early summer, Cornus kousa var. chinensis is covered in creamy white bracts that sit along its tiered branches like a snowfall. Later, red strawberry-like fruits hang beneath the leaves.
Autumn brings a final flourish as the foliage turns deep red and crimson, making this one of the most beautiful small trees available.
How to use it
Plant it as a focal point where its layered shape can be appreciated, in a lawn, courtyard or woodland garden. It pairs beautifully with ferns, hostas and shade-tolerant perennials.
Planting and aftercare
Plant into humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil, ideally neutral to acid, between autumn and spring. Mulch annually and water in dry spells while it establishes. Very little pruning is needed.
See it in person
Every plant at Form is hand-selected, none contains new peat, and nothing beats choosing yours by eye. Visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey, just 30 minutes from London, where our team will show you the best of what is on the nursery right now. We deliver across London, Surrey and the Home Counties, and nationwide.
Walk in any time during opening hours and you will be looked after. If you would like dedicated time with a specialist, book a Genus Bar appointment.
Frequently asked questions
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Usually in early summer, around June, when the white bracts cover the branches for several weeks.
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It prefers neutral to acid soil and can struggle on shallow chalk. Our team can advise whether it suits your site.
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We keep a very well-stocked nursery, but our stock changes with the seasons, so availability varies. Please email us before you visit and we will check what we have and the sizes available.
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Yes, and we would love you to. Every multi-stem tree is individual, with its own branch structure and character, so we always encourage customers to choose by eye. Our largest specimens are held at our Row Town showroom in Surrey. Walk in any time during opening hours, or book a Genus Bar appointment with one of our specialists. If you can’t visit, we are happy to send photographs of individual trees.
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Yes, we deliver nationwide. Deliveries are arranged by our dedicated in-house operations team, and larger specimens can be offloaded by HI-AB or Moffett where needed. We will always agree the most suitable option with you before delivery.
All our multi-stem trees
Explore every tree in our multi-stem trees collection, or view them all with photographs →
Cornus kousa var. chinensis
Can’t see what you’re looking for?
Get in touch and we’ll help you find it. Our nursery is very well stocked and we can source almost any plant through our network of trusted growers. Email info@formplants.com, or send us your whole plant list through our bespoke sourcing service.