Cornus kousa 'Rosea' - A Summer Welcome
By July, one of Mount Stuart's most photographed trees is impossible to miss. Standing at the entrance to the house, Cornus kousa 'Rosea' welcomes visitors beneath a canopy of soft pink.
Also known as the kousa dogwood, or more poetically the Szechuan strawberry, this small tree is native to China, Korea and Japan. While attractive throughout the year, early summer is when it is at its best.
The pink 'petals' are not petals at all but bracts – modified leaves that surround clusters of tiny flowers at their centre. It is these bracts that create the tree's distinctive display, their colour gently changing as the season progresses.
Long after the bracts have faded, its leaves take on rich autumn colour, the bark becomes mottled and it develops attractive bright berries - continuing to give interest in the gardens.
Cornus kousa 'Rosea' is happiest with space around it, where its graceful shape can be appreciated from every angle. It will always be one of Mount Stuart's best-loved trees.
