Milky Way Chinese Dogwood
Cornus kousa 'Milky Way'
Overview
The Milky Way Chinese Dogwood (Cornus kousa 'Milky Way') is a stunning ornamental tree that is as beautiful to look at as it is easy to care for. It features creamy white flowers with a pink center in the summer, followed by delicious red fruit in the fall. Its glossy, dark green leaves give it a beautiful foliage display, and its reddish-brown stems add to the overall visual appeal. Additionally, this plant is drought tolerant and can tolerate a range of soil conditions, making it a great choice for a variety of gardens. Overall, the Milky Way Chinese Dogwood is an excellent garden companion that will provide both beauty and fruit.
Care Guide
Watering
The Milky Way Chinese Dogwood needs to be kept evenly moist, so water when the top inch or 2 of soil is dry. This usually will mean watering every 5-7 days. It should never be allowed to dry out completely. During extreme heat or drought, it may benefit from extra water - check often and water thoroughly. Deep soak the soil once or twice a month to encourage deep root growth. Be sure to remove any standing water after watering.
Light
Milky Way Chinese Dogwood, or Cornus kousa 'Milky Way', is a deciduous plant that benefits from a minimum of 4 to 5 hours of full sun per day. This sun exposure is optimal when the sun is out in the morning and late afternoon; however, the plant should be shielded from the hot afternoon sun in warmer climates. Partial shade is also acceptable for this plant species as long as the hours of filtered sunlight are sufficient to meet the plant’s demand.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 5-5.
Pruning
This plant species should be pruned in late winter or early spring, ideally when it is in a dormant state. It should be pruned with light maintenance pruning, removing dead or damaged branches and thinning out any overly dense areas. Avoid pruning too much, as too heavy a pruning will result in fewer and smaller flowers. If the shrub is growing too large, prune it back by no more than 1/3 of its size.
Propagation
Grafting Propagation, Cutting, Layering Propagation, Air Layering Propagation, Tissue Culture, Seed Propagation
Uses & Symbolism
Attracts: Butterflies.
Related plants
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