Summer Fun Dogwood

About this plant

Cornus kousa 'Summer Fun' is a truly exceptional dogwood, offering year-round interest to the landscape. Its striking, variegated leaves are a vibrant green with creamy-white margins, often flushed with pink in cooler weather, creating a dazzling display even before the flowers emerge. This cultivar boasts an abundance of star-like, white to creamy-white bracts (often mistaken for petals) that grace the tree throughout summer, providing a long-lasting floral show when many other trees are past their prime. Beyond its exquisite beauty, 'Summer Fun' develops an attractive, layered branching habit, adding architectural interest to your garden. As autumn approaches, the foliage transforms into breathtaking shades of red and purple, followed by attractive, raspberry-like fruits that persist into fall, offering a delicious snack for birds. With its multi-season appeal, this dogwood is a fantastic specimen tree, focal point, or understory planting.

Care & maintenance

Requires consistent moisture during establishment. Prune only to remove dead or crossing branches in late winter to early spring. Avoid heavy pruning as it can disrupt the natural, graceful form. Fertilize in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for woody plants.