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

cornus tree nz

If you’re searching for the perfect "cornus tree nz" to enrich your New Zealand garden, you’re in luck. Cornus trees, also known as dogwoods, are celebrated for their striking floral displays, appealing foliage, and fantastic autumn colour. Their versatility and year-round interest make them a top choice for both urban and rural landscapes across New Zealand. Whether you’re looking to create a stunning feature, establish a layered woodland, or attract birds and pollinators, the cornus tree delivers on beauty and performance.

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 spring, ages to become dark green, then develops colourful red and purple tones in autumn before falling. The tree is adorned with clusters of cream-white flowers in summer, which result in small, dark blue berries. It typically grows to 10 m tall and 6 m wide. Cornus controversa makes for a lovely specimen tree and is an excellent choice for adding to a mixed planting, or using as a backdrop for smaller plants.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 10.00 m
Spread: 6.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, Frontyard, Japanese
A small Cornus kousa 'China Girl' specimen tree with masses of white flowers against green foliage.

Cornus kousa 'China Girl'

Cornus kousa 'China Girl' is a small and popular, deciduous tree with large and showy, white flowers that adorn the tree in spring and are followed by red berries in autumn. The glossy foliage is dark green and contrasts perfectly with the flowers, and takes on impressive shades of red and orange before falling. It grows with a vase shape to about 4 m tall and 3 m wide. Cornus kousa 'China Girl' is commonly grown as a specimen and is excellent for including in a mixed planting, planting to border an entranceway, using in avenue plantings, maintaining in a courtyard garden, or including in a cottage garden.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 4.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
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$343.89
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$299.92
A Cornus kousa 'Satomi' specimen tree with masses of elegant pink flowers.

Cornus kousa 'Satomi'

Cornus kousa 'Satomi' is a small and popular, deciduous tree that features masses of large and showy, pink flowers in spring, which are followed by...

From$299.92
Cornus 'Cherokee Chief' specimen tree with masses of pink flowers in late winter.

Cornus Cherokee Chief

Cornus 'Cherokee Chief' is a small, deciduous tree grown for its impressive flowering and attractive form. Masses of rose-red flowers are borne in...

From$299.92
Cornus 'Elizabeth Lustgarten' specimen tree with masses of white flowers.

Cornus 'Elizabeth Lustgarten'

Cornus 'Elizabeth Lustgarten' features large and showy, white flowers during spring and summer, which are followed by red berries in autumn. It grows...

From$343.89
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$299.92
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$343.89
Cornus 'Cherokee Princess' covered in masses of white flowers.

Cornus 'Cherokee Princess'

Cornus 'Cherokee Princess' is grown for its lovely flowering, attractive form, and colourful foliage. Leaves emerge light green in spring, age to...

From$299.92
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$33.68
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$343.89
Cornus controversa variegata (Wedding Cake Tree) specimen in a large garden.

Cornus controversa variegata

Cornus controversa variegata, commonly referred to as the Wedding Cake Tree, features tiered branches that bear leaves that are variegated cream and...

From$343.89
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...

From$299.92
Cornus 'Southern Cross' white flowers with lush, green foliage.

Cornus kousa 'Southern Cross'

Cornus kousa 'Southern Cross' features large and showy, white flowers which adorn the tree in spring and are followed by red berries in autumn. It...

From$343.89
Cornus 'Stokes Pink' elegant pink flowers.

Cornus 'Stokes Pink'

Cornus 'Stokes Pink' is a deciduous shrub grown for its colourful flowering in spring. At this time, masses of showy, two-tone pink flowers are borne...

From$299.92
crassula-ovata-

Crassula ovata (Money Tree)

Crassula ovata is a versatile plant ideal for New Zealand gardens, offering unique features and easy care.

From$28.28
sorbus-scarlet-king-

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

From$343.89
Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.

Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers...

From$26.93
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' trees with yellow foliage in autumn.

Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' (Tulip Tree)

Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata, also known as the Upright Tulip Tree, is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its narrow, columnar form. It...

From$432.79
Melia azedarach tree.

Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach, commonly known as Bead Tree, White Cedar or Persian Lilac, is a fast-growing deciduous tree admired for its feathery foliage and...

From$343.89
cedrela-sinensis-flamingo-7

Cedrela sinensis Flamingo (Toon Tree)

Cedrela sinensis Flamingo is a highly colourful, deciduous tree featuring bright, salmon-pink foliage in spring which ages to cream-yellow, and then...

From$28.28
emguard-biodegradable-plant-shelter-

Tree Guards (Tree Guards)

Our tree guards and plant shelters are bio-degradable products that are perfect for using in riparian areas and other exposed positions. They are...

From$4.20
magnolia-liliiflora-nigra-1

Magnolia liliiflora Nigra (Magnolia Tree Nigra)

Magnolia liliiflora Nigra, commonly known as Black Lily, is a stunning tree that bears masses of large and showy, purple flowers from late winter...

From$299.92
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu) tree juvenile foliage.

Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu Tree)

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as Rimu or Red Pine, is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely...

From$97.13
sequoiadendron-giganteum-

Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree)

Sequoiadendron giganteum, commonly known as the Giant Redwood, is a large, evergreen tree and aptly named for its red coloured wood. It features...

From$299.92
magnolia-deryk-2

Magnolia Deryk (Magnolia Tree Deryk)

Magnolia Deryk is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, dark red-purple flowers from late winter until early spring. The flowers are...

From$343.89
acer-princeton-gold-

Acer platanoides Princeton Gold (Princeton Gold Maple Tree)

Acer platanoides Princeton Gold is a variety of the commonly known, Plane-Leaved Maple, and is a medium sized tree with fantastic foliage. The leaves...

From$391.14
cassia-corymbosa-john-ball-1

Cassia John Ball (Buttercup Tree)

Cassia John Ball, commonly known as the Buttercup Tree or Cassia Plant, is a large and colourful, deciduous shrub. It becomes enshrined by masses of...

From$24.23
A large Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa tree).

Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa Tree)

Beilschmiedia tawa, commonly known as the Tawa Tree, is a tall and graceful evergreen native to New Zealand. It is admired for its straight trunk...

From$277.74
tree-and-shrub-fertiliser-

Tree Fertiliser (Tree Fertiliser)

Using tree fertiliser results in plants having better quality foliage, more profuse flowering, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$12.50
magnolia-margaret-helen-

Magnolia Margaret Helen (Magnolia Tree Margaret Helen)

Magnolia Margaret Helen is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, rose-pink flowers through late winter and early spring. These are...

From$343.89
Cornus controversa

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Beilschmiedia, Cassia, Cedrela, Cornus, Crassula, Dacrydium, Liriodendron, Magnolia, Melia, Metrosideros Sequoiadendron and Sorbus, or related Categories - General Garden Fertiliser, Plant Guards, Deciduous Shrubs, Succulents, Deciduous Trees, Evergreen Trees Magnolia Trees and Maple Tree.

Search cornus tree nz

Why Choose a Cornus Tree for Your NZ Garden?

Cornus trees flourish in many New Zealand climates, offering reliable performance from Northland to Otago. Most varieties display spectacular clusters of white, pink, or cream bracts in spring and early summer. Their architectural shape, lush leaves, and often striking red or orange autumn colour ensure four seasons of interest. Cornus trees are generally low-maintenance once established, adapting well to a variety of soil types and tolerating both sun and light shade.

Top Cornus Tree Varieties in NZ

Gardeners across New Zealand love the diversity of cornus trees available, from elegant layered forms to statuesque feature trees. A few standout choices include:

Tips for Planting and Caring for Cornus Trees in New Zealand

When selecting a cornus tree for your NZ garden, consider your site’s soil type, sunlight, and available space. Cornus trees perform best in well-drained soils and benefit from mulching to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Water young trees deeply during dry spells, especially in their first two years. For optimal flowering and foliage colour, position your cornus tree in a spot with morning sun and some shelter from the harshest afternoon rays.

Pruning is rarely needed except to enhance shape or remove dead wood—most varieties look exceptional when allowed to develop their natural form. Incorporating a Cornus controversa or Cornus kousa 'Satomi' into your landscape can transform your garden with enduring beauty and minimal fuss.

Where to Buy Cornus Trees in NZ

Browse our extensive range of cornus trees online and discover which cornus will flourish in your garden. Whether you prefer the layered structure of Cornus controversa, the delicate flowers of Cornus kousa 'China Girl', or the unusual colours of Cornus kousa 'Satomi', there’s a perfect choice waiting for you. Bring enduring structure and spectacular seasonal colour to your outdoor space with a cornus tree nz selection you’ll enjoy for years to come.


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.

–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.

4.9

429 Google reviews