Cornus Angustata Empress of China Dogwood

Cornus Angustata Empress of China is a semi-evergreen, compact flowering dogwood with masses of cream-white flowers in summer. It’s a rare specimen tree that suits informal borders.

Cornus Angustata is native to China where it grows in light woodlands. It was introduced to the West in 1980 and although popular it’s relatively rare in the UK. The cultivar Empress of China has several names. It’s also called Dogwood Empress of China, Cornus Elliptica Empress of China, and Cornus Elliptica Elsbry. Whatever you choose to call it, this small beautifully flowering tree is a must for warm gardens.

It has bright green glossy oval leaves that stay on the branches in warmer areas of the UK, hence why it’s described as a semi-evergreen. Once it’s established, it produces masses of creamy-white bracts. The flowers are exceptionally long-lasting, often remaining on the tree for several months at a time. They mature into small red arbutus-like fruits that are bitter but loved by blackbirds and thrushes.

Height And Spread of Cornus Angustata Empress of China
This is a compact flowering dogwood that’ll reach a height of five metres and spread across four metres.

How Hardy Is Cornus Angustata Empress of China
Dogwood Empress of China is frost-hardy in the UK, but it prefers a warm sheltered sunny spot to flower and fruit well.

How To Use Cornus Angustata Empress of China
This is an excellent specimen tree for the lawn or a warm courtyard garden, and it’s small enough to grow in a well-watered and fed container on a sunny balcony or deck. It attracts lots of bird life with its semi-evergreen foliage and strawberry-like fruits.
Empress of China is a must in sheltered cottage-style gardens with its long-lasting pretty white flower bracts.

How To Care For Cornus Angustata Empress of China
Dogwood Empress of China is easy to grow and care for.
Choose a fertile, well-drained spot in full sun or partial shade with shelter from the prevailing wind. It prefers neutral to acidic soil, but will manage in alkaline conditions with acid-based mulch.
Pruning isn’t necessary but you can remove crossed or damaged branches in spring before the new growth appears. Water it well until it’s established and apply plenty of well-rotted organic matter in spring. Container-grown Empress of China needs lots of water and regular fertiliser through the growing months. Be sure to raise the pot on feet to aid good drainage.