I first spotted a weeping cornus kousa at a little, family-run nursery final spring, and it completely stopped me personally in my tracks. Most people are usually familiar with the typical dogwood trees that will line suburban roads, but there is something about the particular pendulous, cascading form of the weeping variety that feels like it belongs in the secret garden or perhaps a high-end botanical screen. If you are looking for a focal point that offers even more than just per week of flowers, this particular tree is the serious contender.
Why is This Shrub So Special?
Let's be sincere, many ornamental trees are one-hit miracles. They look incredible for ten days in-may, and after that for the sleep of the entire year, they're just there. The weeping cornus kousa is different. It's a four-season workhorse that manages to change its clothing every few months.
The most obvious draw is the structure. Instead of reaching regarding the sky, the particular branches arch gracefully toward the ground. Whenever it's covered within blooms, it looks less like a tree and more just like a floral waterfall. This stays relatively compact, too, which is a massive gain for those people who don't have a sprawling estate but still want that "big garden" energy within a smaller space.
The "Flowers" That Aren't Flowers
One of the particular coolest reasons for any kind of kousa dogwood—and the weeping version is definitely no exception—is the way in which it blooms. What we usually call the particular flowers are really modified leaves called bracts. They start out a light, creamy green and slowly become an amazing, stark white.
The time is a massive plus, too. While the native American dogwoods ( Cornus florida ) finish up their own show early within the spring, the particular weeping cornus kousa waits till late May or maybe June to punch things off. This really is great because this bridges that uncomfortable gap in the particular garden calendar whenever the early light bulbs are dead and the summer perennials haven't quite woken upward yet.
Exactly why the Weeping Type Wins
When you've ever observed a 'Lustgarten Weeping' or an 'Elizabeth Lustgarten'—two of the particular most common cultivars—you know what I'm talking about. The architectural interest is usually off the charts. Because the branches hang down, you obtain this dense canopy that looks fantastic actually when the results in are gone in the winter.
I've discovered that the weeping habit also can make the tree sense much more personal. You can tuck it into the corner of the patio or near the walkway, and it also generates a sense of enclosure without overpowering the area. It's like having a residing piece of figurine that just occurs grow leaves.
How to Keep Your Tree Delighted
You don't need to end up being a professional arborist to keep a weeping cornus kousa alive, but it isn't a "plant this and forget it" situation either. Such as most things well worth having, it needs some TLC to look its greatest.
Getting the Soil Right
Initial things first: draining. This tree definitely hates having "wet feet. " When you plant it in a reduced spot where water pools after the rainstorm, it's going to be unhappy. It prefers acidic, well-drained soil that's rich in natural matter. If your own dirt is sandy or heavy on the clay, throwing in some compost if you plant this will go a long way.
Sunlight and Positioning
In terms of light, it's pretty flexible, but there's a nice spot. In cooler climates, it may handle full sunlight all day long. However, in case you live somewhere where the summers are brutal, it'll appreciate some evening shade. I've realized that trees in a bit of tone tend to keep their flowers (bracts) a little more simply because they aren't getting baked by the 2: 00 PM sun.
The Weird and Amazing Fruit
Close to late summer or even early autumn, the weeping cornus kousa does something really fun: it grows these funky, bumpy red fruits. They look a bit like circular strawberries from outer space.
Right now, technically, these berries are edible. I've tried them, found a weirdly exotic, custard-like texture within. That said, the particular skin can be quite challenging and gritty, so most people simply leave them for your birds. Squirrels and songbirds absolutely enjoy them, though, if you enjoy watching creatures in your lawn, this tree is definitely basically a natural bird feeder.
Drop Color and Winter Interest
As soon as the "space strawberries" are gone, the particular foliage takes center stage. The leaves on a weeping cornus kousa turn a deep, moody reddish-purple or even a bright scarlet depending on your local weather conditions. Due to the weeping form, the color seems to spill throughout the forest, which looks incredible against a natural lawn or perhaps a mulch bed.
Even in the dead of winter, it stays interesting. The particular bark on old kousas tends to exfoliate, meaning it peels off within patches to disclose shades of color, gray, and brown underneath. It's delicate, but when you have the dusting of snowfall on those weeping branches, the structure of the start barking really pops.
A Few Guidelines for Planting and Care
In the event that you're convinced and want to get one in the terrain, here are the few things I've learned hard method:
- Don't bury it as well deep: This is a common mistake with all trees. Create sure the "root flare" (where the particular trunk widens in the bottom) is definitely slightly above the particular soil line.
- Mulch is definitely your friend: A good layer of wooden chips or disposed bark helps maintain the roots awesome and moist. Simply don't pile it up against the trunk like the mulch volcano—that's a recipe for decay.
- Providing water during the 1st year: Until it gets its roots established, you need to be consistent. Don't let it dried out out completely, but don't drown this either. A serious soak a couple of times the week is usually much better than a lighting sprinkle every single day.
Dealing With Pruning
Pruning the weeping cornus kousa can experience a bit intimidating because you don't desire to ruin that will beautiful shape. The good news will be that you don't actually have in order to do much. Mainly, you're just looking to remove the particular "three Ds": dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
In the event that you find that this "skirt" of the tree is hauling too much on the particular ground, you can lightly trim the ideas to give it a bit associated with a haircut. I usually wait till the dormant season (late winter) to do any major shaping. Just remember that less will be more. You wish to improve the natural weeping habit, not fight against it.
The reason why It Beats the Native Dogwood
I love the native American dogwoods, I seriously do. But they can be a bit dramatic. These are vulnerable to powdery mold and an unpleasant fungal disease known as anthracnose. The weeping cornus kousa , on the other hands, is much tougher. It's naturally resistant to most of the particular items that kills away other dogwoods, which usually makes it a much lower-stress choice for most homeowners. It's the type of tree that in fact desires to live, which is always the plus in the book.
Last Thoughts about this Garden Gem
Whether or not you have the massive backyard or even just a tiny spot of green in front of your own house, the weeping cornus kousa is one of these rare plants that will genuinely delivers on its promises. It offers you incredible plants in the springtime, lush green tone during the summer, funky fruit and vibrant color in the fall, plus a cool, system skeleton during winter.
It's not the particular cheapest tree you'll find at the particular garden center, and it might take per year or two to actually hit its step, but the payoff is worth every dime. Each time I stroll past mine and see those divisions dipping low under the weight associated with white blooms, I'm reminded why I actually fell in love with it within the first place. If you're searching for a shrub with personality, this particular is the 1.