Dogwood Tree, Summer Gold Cornus kousa 'Summer Gold' Height: 15 feet Spread: 15 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 4b Other Names: Kousa Dogwood Description: Exquisite, bright green foliage, with golden edges and pink highlights in summer; flaming red fall color; distinctly upright with dense branching; in mid to late spring lovely white bracts appear and last for several weeks; prefers some wind protection. Ornamental Features Dogwood Tree, Summer Gold features showy clusters of white flowers with white bracts held atop the branches from mid to late spring. It has attractive gold-variegated green foliage with hints of pink. The pointy leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding crimson in the fall. However, the fruit can be messy in the landscape and may require occasional clean-up. The peeling gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape. Landscape Attributes Dogwood Tree, Summer Gold is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics. Dogwood Tree, Summer Gold is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Dogwood Tree, Summer Gold will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more. This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. Special Attributes Dogwood trees are under story trees that grow best in an established neighborhood that provides heat and wind protection from larger trees; it also requires well-drained acidic soils and adequate precipitation.The fruit is approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inch berries turning pinkish red in the fall, generally eaten by birds. All Cornus are classified as nontoxic plants.
