Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

chinese dogwood shrub

The Chinese dogwood shrub (Cornus kousa) is a stunning, versatile plant that has become a favourite among New Zealand gardeners. Renowned for its striking spring display, this deciduous shrub showcases delicate white or pinkish bracts that almost entirely cover its branches, followed by clusters of attractive, red fruit in late summer. With a multi-season interest—from its deep green foliage to its glowing autumn hues—the Chinese dogwood shrub is both beautiful and tough, thriving in a range of garden settings. Whether you’re searching for a standout specimen for your landscape or a reliable shrub for your mixed border, the Chinese dogwood shrub promises lasting appeal and resilience.

Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea' plants with yellow stems.

Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea'

Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea', commonly known as the Yellow Stem Dogwood, is a shrub that features bright yellow stems which become more pronounced in winter. The leaves emerge dark green in spring, and remain this colour until developing red tones in autumn and falling.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.50 m
Spread: 2.50 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Buxus koreana plant for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Buxus koreana (Korean Boxwood)

Buxus koreana, commonly known as Korean Box, is a cold-hardy, evergreen shrub ideal for low hedging and formal borders in New Zealand gardens. It features small, oval, green leaves and a compact, rounded growth habit, typically reaching 60–90 cm in height. Known for its excellent winter tolerance, it performs well in cooler regions.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Cornus 'Milky Way' specimen tree covered in masses of white flowers.
Cornus kousa 'Milky Way'

Cornus kousa 'Milky Way' features large and showy, white flowers that adorn the tree in spring and are followed by red berries in autumn. The glossy...

From$349.95
Abutilon megapotamicum red and yellow flower.
Abutilon megapotamicum

Abutilon megapotamicum, commonly known as Trailing Abutilon or Chinese Lantern, is a graceful shrub with arching stems and distinctive red and yellow...

From$22.95
A Cornus controversa (Giant Dogwood) specimen tree.
Cornus controversa

Cornus controversa, commonly known as the Giant Dogwood, is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that features lush foliage that emerges mid-green in...

From$399.95
nyssa-sinensis-6
Nyssa sinensis

Nyssa sinensis (Chinese Tupelo) is an elegant deciduous tree admired for its graceful form, glossy green foliage, and spectacular autumn colour. As...

From$404.59
Cornus 'Spring Song' rose-pink flowers.
Cornus florida 'Spring Song'

Cornus florida 'Spring Song' is a deciduous shrub grown for its colourful flowering in spring. At this time, masses of showy, rose-pink flowers are...

From$349.95
Cornus 'National' specimen tree with masses of cream-coloured flowers.
Cornus kousa 'National'

Cornus kousa 'National' is a deciduous tree that features large and showy, cream white flowers in spring, which are followed by red berries in...

From$279.95
A Cornus 'Cloud 9' specimen tree with masses of white flowers.
Cornus 'Cloud 9'

Cornus 'Cloud 9' produces masses of showy, single, white flowers through spring, which are followed by clusters of red fruit in autumn. The foliage...

From$279.95
Cornus 'Eddies White Wonder' white flowers held on trailing stems.
Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder'

Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder' is a deciduous dogwood tree renowned for its impressive spring blossoms and vibrant autumn foliage. This hybrid...

From$349.95
Cornus alba 'Sibirica' new spring foliage with white flowers.
Cornus alba 'Sibirica'

Cornus alba 'Sibirica', commonly known as Siberian Dogwood, is a striking deciduous shrub ideal for New Zealand gardens. It is prized for its vivid...

From$24.95
ulmus-parvifolia-1
Ulmus parvifolia

Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm) is a graceful deciduous to semi evergreen tree admired for its elegant spreading canopy, small glossy green leaves...

From$192.51
leptospermum-pageant-
Leptospermum 'Pageant'

Leptospermum 'Pageant' is a spectacular flowering shrub admired for its masses of vibrant double pink blooms that smother the plant through spring...

From$30.29
rhododendron-mount-everest-
Rhododendron 'Mt Everest'

Rhododendron 'Mt Everest' is a magnificent evergreen shrub admired for its impressive flowering display and lush dark green foliage. During spring...

From$64.79
Chinese Windmill Palms planted as a cluster.
Trachycarpus fortunei (Chinese Windmill Palm)

Trachycarpus fortunei, commonly known as the Windmill Palm, is a hardy, evergreen palm ideal for New Zealand gardens. It features a tall, slender...

From$425.89
hebe-diosmifolia-3
Hebe diosmifolia

Hebe diosmifolia is a graceful evergreen shrub admired for its fine bright green foliage and masses of small white flowers that cover the plant...

From$22.01
Coprosma acerosa 'Taiko' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Coprosma 'Taiko'

Coprosma 'Taiko' is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its rich chocolate to deep burgundy foliage and naturally rounded form. This hardy selection...

From$17.95
leptospermum-kea-
Leptospermum 'Kea'

Leptospermum 'Kea' is a colourful manuka shrub admired for its vibrant flowers and fine evergreen foliage. This attractive New Zealand plant produces...

From$27.53
dichroa-blue-stars--1
Dichroa 'Blue Stars' (Evergreen Hydrangea)

Dichroa 'Blue Stars' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its clusters of intense blue star shaped flowers followed by brilliant metallic blue...

From$30.29
Abelia 'Francis Mason' shrub with yellow foliage and pink-white flowers.
Abelia 'Francis Mason'

Abelia 'Francis Mason' is a vibrant and versatile shrub loved for its golden yellow foliage and clusters of soft pink to white flowers in summer and...

From$18.95
Azalea 'Apex Flame' orange flowers above lush, green foliage.
Azalea 'Apex Flame'

Azalea 'Apex Flame' is a vibrant flowering shrub prized for its brilliant flame coloured blooms and compact garden habit. When in flower, it creates...

From$26.95
Tamarix chinensis shrub with masses of pink flowers.
Tamarix chinensis (Chinese Tamarisk)

Tamarix chinensis is a graceful deciduous shrub or small tree prized for its fine feathery foliage and masses of soft pink flowers carried on arching...

OUT OF STOCK
Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' variegated foliage.
Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'

Cornus alba 'Elegantissima', commonly known as the Red-Twig Dogwood, is a deciduous shrub grown for its variegated foliage and colourful stems. The...

OUT OF STOCK
photinia-serratifolia-
Photinia serratifolia

Photinia serratifolia (Chinese Photinia) is an evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its glossy foliage, colourful new growth, and dense branching...

OUT OF STOCK
Ceratostigma willmottianum blue flowers.
Ceratostigma willmottianum

Ceratostigma willmottianum (Chinese Plumbago) is a deciduous shrub valued for its vivid blue flowers and rich autumn foliage colour. It provides late...

OUT OF STOCK
Dichroa febrifuga blue flower and green foliage.
Dichroa febrifuga (Chinese Quinine)

Dichroa febrifuga is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its clusters of vibrant blue to violet flowers followed by brilliant metallic blue...

OUT OF STOCK
A Cornus capitata (Evergreen Dogwood) tree with lush green foliage and masses of white flowers.
Cornus capitata

Cornus capitata, commonly known as the Evergreen Dogwood, is a striking small tree or large shrub well-suited to New Zealand gardens. It produces...

OUT OF STOCK
mahonia-lomariifolia-1
Mahonia lomariifolia

Mahonia lomariifolia (Chinese Holly) is a bold evergreen shrub known for its dramatic, fern like foliage and upright spikes of yellow flowers...

OUT OF STOCK
Buxus microphylla 'Curly Locks' hedge.
Buxus 'Curly Locks' (Chinese Box Plant)

Buxus 'Curly Locks' features small, bright green leaves with a gentle curl. The leaves age to dark green and are held on short stems as it grows to...

OUT OF STOCK
abutilon-white-gold-1
Abutilon 'White Gold' (Chinese Lantern)

Abutilon 'White Gold' is a beautiful flowering shrub admired for its elegant pale yellow to creamy white bell shaped flowers that appear over an...

OUT OF STOCK
ligustrum-sinense-
Ligustrum sinense

Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet) is a fast growing shrub or small tree with dense green foliage, fragrant white flowers, and dark berries. It was...

OUT OF STOCK
poliothyrsis-sinensis-1
Poliothyrsis sinensis (Chinese Pearlbloom)

Poliothyrsis sinensis is an attractive tree with fabulous flowers. Large and showy clusters of fragrant, white flowers are borne in summer and are a...

OUT OF STOCK
Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Abutilon, Buxus, and Cornus, or related Categories - Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs, and Deciduous Trees.

Search chinese dogwood shrub

Why Choose a Chinese Dogwood Shrub?

Gardeners prize the Chinese dogwood shrub for its year-round decorative value. In spring, masses of star-shaped “flowers” (actually bracts) attract attention and pollinators. By late summer, edible raspberry-like fruit emerges, which birds adore. When autumn arrives, the foliage transforms into a mosaic of scarlet and burgundy, providing a final burst of colour before winter. Plus, Chinese dogwood shrub varieties are well-suited to the New Zealand climate, tolerating a range of soil types and coping well with damp or even clay-heavy conditions.

Growing and Caring for Chinese Dogwood Shrubs

To get the best out of your Chinese dogwood shrub, plant it in fertile, well-drained soil with dappled sunlight or light shade. Though adaptable, these shrubs benefit from protection against the harshest midday sun, which helps keep their leaves looking fresh through summer. Regular mulching keeps the roots cool and moist, and an annual spring feed will boost flowering. Unlike some members of the dogwood family, Chinese dogwood shrubs are impressively disease-resistant and require minimal pruning—just remove any deadwood or crossing branches in late winter to maintain their elegant shape.

If you’re comparing similar species, you might also consider Cornus controversa, a majestic tiered variety ideal for larger gardens, or the bold, golden stems of Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea' for winter interest.

Landscaping Ideas and Plant Pairings

Chinese dogwood shrubs are perfect as specimen plants, set against a lawn or patio where their structure and seasonal changes can shine. They also blend well in mixed borders, underplanted with perennials or shade-tolerant ground covers. For evergreen structure, pair with classic shrubs like Buxus koreana (Korean Boxwood), or for lush, exotic foliage, try Alocasia cucullata (Chinese Taro) nearby. Looking for other standout shrubs? Podocarpus Maki (Fern Pine) offers a handsome backdrop of soft, fern-like leaves.

Where to Buy Chinese Dogwood Shrubs in New Zealand

Our nursery specialises in high-quality Chinese dogwood shrubs, expertly grown to thrive in local gardens. Our range includes healthy, field-raised specimens ready to establish quickly and deliver seasons of interest. Explore our broader collection of feature shrubs, trees, and companion plants, and let your landscape flourish with the beauty and versatility of the Chinese dogwood shrub.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Think you know our range? Lomandra 'Tanika' and Lomandra 'Frosty Tops' are just the beginning — check out Acer palmatum 'Senkaki', Hibiscus 'Blushing Bride', and Orange 'Fukumoto'.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

466 Google reviews