Chinese Dogwood

Cornus kousa var. chinensis

• Position: full sun to part shade
• Soil: fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to acid soil
• Rate of growth: slow-growing to average
• Flowering period: June
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  A real showstopper of a tree, with two seasons of interest. Broadly conical in shape, it produces tiny green flowers in June, surrounded by showy creamy white, flower bracts, that fade to lovely shades of pink. In autumn the dark green leaves turn crimson-purple and mature trees produce strawberry-like fruits. It's an excellent specimen tree for a small garden or woodland edge, and the leaf colour is best in fertile, well-drained, neutral to acid soil.
  
  
• Garden care: Incorporate a quantity of composted pine needlesor well-rotted leafmould when planting. Requires minimal pruning.