Cornus Hongkongensis Hong Kong Dogwood

Cornus Hongkongensis or Hong Kong Dogwood is a tall evergreen ornamental dogwood tree or shrub with large creamy-white ornamental flower bracts in spring. It’s an attractive specimen tree for medium-sized gardens and woodland planting.

Cornus Hongkongensis is better known as Hong Kong Dogwood. It’s native to Eastern Asia where it grows in light woodlands. It’s a strong performer in the UK and a popular choice for woodland gardens and large mixed borders.

Hong Kong Dogwood has glossy green elliptic foliage that emerges coppery-red in spring but matures to match its green leaves over summer. Just after its new foliage emerges, clusters of tiny green flowers bloom in fragrant clusters. These insignificant flowers are attractive to pollinators and surrounded by showy, creamy-white bracts that protect the blooms. The bracts are up to 4 centimetres long and last for months.

On occasion, flowers mature to rounded red and yellow fruits in late summer.

Height And Spread of Cornus Hongkongensis
Hong Kong dogwood is relatively large but slow growing. It can reach a maximum height of 15 metres and spread across 8 metres in 10-20 years.

How Hardy Is Cornus Hongkongensis
It’s hardy throughout most of the UK but does best in a sheltered spot with well-drained roots. Pests are rarely a problem. 

How To Use Cornus Hongkongensis
This prolifically flowering dogwood suits cottage gardens and informal borders. Its shiny evergreen foliage and strong branches create plenty of shape and interest through the winter months.
Its showy white flower bracts make this an ornamental tree for low-maintenance spaces. It’s an excellent choice for busy gardeners that need easy care plants.

How To Care For Cornus Hongkongensis
Full sun and partial shade are best for Hong Kong Dogwood. It needs neutral to acidic soil to thrive and may turn chlorotic in very alkaline conditions. It’s hardy enough to survive on clay and sand because it prefers well-drained soil, but it will need plenty of water when it’s first planted and until you can see new growth.
There is no need to prune it because it naturally holds a rounded upright shape, but you can remove crossed or damaged branches in winter.
A thick layer of well-rotted organic mulch in spring boost nutrients for the best flower show.