For six weeks, the Milky Way dogwood (
Cornus kousa ‘Milky Way’) carpets its limbs in white blossoms—actually white bracts—in late spring to early summer, putting on a breathtaking show. For years I’ve admired the trees in my neighborhood but didn’t know the cultivar name. Literally, thousands of blooms cover a single tree. Even relatively young, smaller trees are covered with blooms. I just planted a
Cornus kousa ‘Venus’, which offers fewer but larger blossoms, and I second guess my choice each time I pass a ‘Milky Way’.
Red, strawberry-like edible fruits develop as summer progresses. The fruit appeals to birds as well as humans (peel them and eat the soft, custard-like insides). It has a height and spread of 15 to 20 feet. The leaves have nice orange-red to scarlet color in the fall making Milky Way a multi-season gem for Zone 5-8 gardens. Milky Way’s white flowers age to pink; however, there are at least two pink blooming cultivars: ‘Satomi’ and ‘Beni Fuji’
What do you think? Should I plant ‘Milky Way’ instead of ‘Venus’?
I haven't an opinion on this matter - but I have been struck at the number of pink and white dogwood still in full, healthy bloom in mid July, here just north of Seattle.
ReplyDeleteIt's been an amazing year for Cornus kousa. I don't know the cultivars, but the show has been breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteI planted a Cornus Kousa "Milky Way" as a very small tree in November 2011, and it has taken a while to get going, as yet no blooms. I'm hoping next spring will finally be its time to shine. So, if you want blooms right away, get a larger specimen...that would be my recommendation.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, that's what these are called! They are absolutely striking when in bloom! Does anyone know if the deer like these as much as I?
ReplyDeleteHungry deer will eat just about anything! I don't know if they are particular about cultivars, but if they munch on dogwoods in your neck of the woods, they will probably find Milky Way Dogwoods to be tasty, too. That said, I want to mention another pink flowering Kousa Dogwood: its name is Heart Throb Dogwood, and it was discovered in Oregon by the late Jim Schmidt - selected for its rich pink color, profuse and long-lasting blooms, and excellent foliage. Mine bloomed for at least six weeks this year. (Cool weather contributed to this year's long season of bloom.)
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