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Deciduous And Flowering Trees

Summer Gold Kousa dogwood

Cornus kousa 'Summer Gold'

Summer Gold adds lasting color to the layered shape of a Kousa dogwood. Green leaves edged in yellow sit beneath white flower bracts, followed by red fruit and autumn foliage that shifts through pink to red. Plan for a small tree around 15 feet tall and wide, with room to appreciate its spreading branches. A lightly shaded position can protect the leaves from harsh afternoon heat. In Southwest Washington, give the roots acidic, well-drained soil, mulch, and dependable summer water. Keep pruning selective, and allow access beneath the canopy for cleaning up fallen fruit near paths or seating.

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At a glance

Mature height
About 15 ft over time
Mature spread
About 15 ft over time
Light
Sun to partial shade
Hardiness
USDA Zones 5–8

The right plant, the right place

Make room for something good.

Summer Gold works as a small lawn tree or a specimen in a mixed border. Its yellow-and-green foliage provides summer color, with a rounded crown developing as the tree grows.

Where to plant

Allow approximately 15 feet across for the canopy. Choose sun or partial shade, avoiding persistently wet ground and hot reflected exposure that can increase leaf and root stress.

Through the seasons

White bracts appear over variegated foliage, followed by red fruit. Leaf margins turn pink before the leaves become red in autumn.

Southwest Washington gardens

Give it a good start.

Kousa dogwood is a lower-disease alternative to flowering dogwood in Northwest gardens. Good winter drainage and summer watering remain important, particularly during establishment and extended dry spells.

Soil, drainage & water

Use acidic, organically rich soil that holds moisture while draining freely. Mulch the shallow root zone and check watering during hot weather, rather than relying on surface moisture alone.

A little care goes a long way

Growing well, season after season.

Remove dead or crossing branches selectively and retain the tree's developing outline. Keep enough clearance from surrounding plants for air to move through the canopy and for routine inspection.

Know what to look for

Common growing concerns.

Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.

Leaf scorch

Brown leaf edges may develop after a hot or dry spell.

Help your plant thrive

Check root-zone moisture and maintain watering during dry weather. Afternoon shade helps reduce exposure on hotter sites.

Foliar disease

Leaf spotting, powdery growth, or dying shoots can occur on dogwoods.

Help your plant thrive

Maintain airflow around the crown and avoid prolonged foliage wetting. Have recurring symptoms identified before choosing treatment.

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