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empress of china dogwood for sale

If you’re searching for the finest empress of china dogwood for sale in New Zealand, look no further. Cornus kousa 'China Girl', often called the Empress of China Dogwood, is a show-stopping small tree known for its elegant layers of creamy white flowers and striking, glossy green foliage. Perfectly suited for both modern and cottage gardens, this variety brings year-round interest and is prized for its robust flowering display, attractive berries, and spectacular autumn colour. Whether you want to create a focal point in your landscape or enhance a woodland garden, the Empress of China Dogwood is a reliable and beautiful choice.

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.

A small Cornus kousa 'China Girl' specimen tree with masses of white flowers against green foliage.
  • 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
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Cornus kousa 'China Girl'

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Features and Benefits

Cornus kousa 'China Girl' is renowned for its profusion of star-shaped white flowers that appear in late spring and early summer, followed by clusters of ornamental red berries that attract birds and wildlife. Its dark green leaves turn rich shades of red and purple in autumn, ensuring a vibrant display in every season. This dogwood is also notably disease-resistant and adapts well to various garden conditions, including partial shade and acidic soils.

Planting and Care Tips

When selecting empress of china dogwood for sale, look for healthy, well-rooted specimens. This tree thrives in well-drained soils and prefers a position with morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in hotter regions. Regular watering during the first few years helps establish a strong root system, while annual mulching keeps roots cool and retains helpful moisture. Pruning is generally unnecessary except for removing dead or crossing branches to maintain its lovely shape.

Design Ideas and Companion Plants

The Empress of China Dogwood shines as a feature tree, but also pairs beautifully with other ornamental trees and shrubs. For layered interest and complementary foliage or flower colour, consider planting alongside Cornus controversa variegata, the striking Cornus Cherokee Chief, or Cornus 'Cherokee Princess'. These varieties offer a mix of flower and leaf colour, extending your garden’s seasonal display.

For gardeners looking to create a striking contrast in form or texture, nearby plantings of Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea' or the delicate white blooms of Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder' work beautifully. You might also pair the Empress of China Dogwood with other feature trees like the unique Davidia involucrata (Ghost Tree) or the flowering Prunus mume.

Why Choose Cornus kousa 'China Girl'?

Beyond its stunning floral show and reliable performance, the Empress of China Dogwood fits effortlessly into New Zealand gardens, offering structure and colour through every season. Its manageable size makes it ideal for smaller gardens and urban landscapes, while its resilience ensures minimal fuss for busy gardeners. If you’re ready to enhance your landscape, browse our broad selection and discover the finest empress of china dogwood for sale as well as exciting alternatives such as Magnolia Sundew (Sundew Magnolia Tree), Melaleuca linariifolia, and Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai).

Add the enduring beauty and brilliance of Cornus kousa 'China Girl' to your outdoor sanctuary and enjoy an ever-changing display of flowers, fruit, and foliage for years to come.


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