Kousa 'Gold Star' Cornus kousa 'Gold Star' (v)

Water

The Kousa dogwood, including the 'Gold Star' variety, prefers consistently moist soil but does not tolerate standing water. Initially, after planting, water it deeply once a week to help establish roots. Once it's well-established, the Kousa dogwood typically needs about an inch of water per week, either from rainfall or manual watering. During hot, dry periods, additional watering may be necessary to prevent soil from drying out completely. It's best to water deeply and less frequently, rather than little and often, which encourages the roots to grow deeper and makes the plant more drought-resistant. An estimated 5 to 15 gallons of water should be provided per watering to ensure that it reaches the root zone effectively.

Light

Kousa dogwood thrives in a spot that receives full sun to partial shade. The ideal condition is dappled sunlight throughout the day or direct sun in the morning with light shade in the afternoon. Avoid placing it in full, intense afternoon sun in hotter climates, as it may stress the plant and lead to leaf scorch. It can also grow well under the filtered light of taller trees, which simulates its natural woodland habitat.

Temperature

Kousa dogwood is hardy and can survive in temperatures ranging from approximately -10°F to 90°F. However, the ideal growing temperatures are between 60°F and 75°F. It's important to protect the plant from extreme heat or cold, as prolonged exposure to temperatures outside its tolerance range can stress the plant or cause damage.

Pruning

Prune the Kousa dogwood to maintain its shape and remove any damaged or crossed branches to encourage healthy growth and airflow. The best time for pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Typically, Kousa dogwoods require minimal pruning, and it's often sufficient to prune them every two to three years.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Kousa Dogwood 'Gold Star' thrives in a well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. A balanced mix of loam, sand, and organic compost or pine bark is ideal, providing adequate nutrients and moisture retention.

Repotting

Kousa Dogwoods, being larger landscape plants, are not typically repotted. Instead, young trees may be transplanted to a larger space in the garden as they outgrow their current spot, generally every few years when they are still small.

Humidity & Misting

Kousa Dogwood 'Gold Star' prefers average outdoor humidity levels. It does not require specific humidity adjustments as it adapts well to the natural humidity found in its growing environment.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Not ideal for indoor growth; requires outdoor conditions.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial sun, mulch well, water regularly, protect from extreme cold.

• Hardiness zone

  5-8 USDA

Life cycle

Cornus kousa 'Gold Star', commonly known as the Kousa Dogwood, begins its life as a seed, which after stratification germinates in spring. The seedling stage follows, where the plant develops its first leaves and a strong root system. As it enters the vegetative stage, the Kousa Dogwood grows rapidly, forming a substantial stem and a branching structure. Upon reaching maturity, the plant produces characteristic flowers, often in late spring to early summer, which after pollination develop into berry-like fruits. After the reproductive stage, the tree enters a period of senescence over several years, where growth slows and it becomes less vigorous until eventually dying. Throughout its life, the Kousa Dogwood may also undergo periods of dormancy during colder months, shedding its leaves and conserving energy until the next growing season.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Late winter-early spring

• Propogation: The Kousa dogwood 'Gold Star' is best propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer. This popular method involves selecting a healthy, non-flowering stem that has started to mature but still retains some flexibility. The cutting should be about 4 to 6 inches long and include at least two sets of leaves. The bottom set of leaves is removed, and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone before being placed in a well-draining potting mix, such as a blend of peat and perlite. The pot should then be covered with a plastic bag or placed in a humid environment to maintain moisture without keeping the soil waterlogged. Roots typically develop after a few weeks, at which point the new Kousa dogwood plant can begin to acclimate to less humid conditions before eventually being planted out in the garden.