Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa var. chinensis 'Madison' CROWN JEWEL)
Cornus kousa var. chinensis 'Madison' CROWN JEWEL offers stunning late spring blooms, edible fruit, and unique summer color in Kousa dogwood form.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Kousa dogwood, specifically the cultivar Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘Madison’ CROWN JEWEL, is celebrated for providing multi-season interest in the landscape. Unlike its native relatives, this Chinese Kousa dogwood variant distinguishes itself with exceptional disease resistance and unusual summer foliage coloration, making it a dependable choice for many gardens. Growing into a striking small tree or large shrub, it delivers beautiful white bracts in late spring, followed by persistent, ornamental fruit.
Gardeners prize the Cornus kousa var. Chinensis ‘Madison’ CROWN JEWEL for its layered aesthetic appeal. It transitions seamlessly from prominent white bloom to edible red fruit persistence, culminating in excellent fall color which is complemented by unique gold and red highlights appearing on new summer growth due to heat stress. Its easy-care nature, classified as low maintenance, further enhances its value in both specimen plantings and mixed borders.
This specific selection, often traded under the name CROWN JEWEL, showcases the genetic resilience and beauty of Chinese dogwoods. It matures into a rounded, often multi-stemmed specimen, providing excellent structure year-round, especially noted by its attractive exfoliating bark structure in winter. Ensure proper siting to appreciate the full spectrum of seasonal displays offered by this Kousa dogwood.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Cornaceae
- Plant Type: Tree
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 15-30 ft
- Spread: 15-30 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting of Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘Madison’ CROWN JEWEL should ideally occur in spring or fall when temperatures are cooler. This Kousa dogwood thrives best when situated in humusy, organically rich, medium-moisture, acidic to neutral soils that are well-drained. It demonstrates particular vigor when grown in sandy loams, provided consistent moisture is maintained. Site selections between full sun and part shade are appropriate, though afternoon shade might be beneficial in the hottest summer climates.
Care throughout the growing season centers on moisture management. The tree appreciates consistent hydration, especially during periods of high summer heat or drought, as this encourages the appearance of its unique summer foliage flush. Avoid over-fertilization, as this can lead to excessive weak growth susceptible to pests. Structural pruning is rarely necessary; limit cuts to removing crossing branches or deadwood immediately after flowering.
Mature trees offer excellent winter interest due to appealing mottled, exfoliating bark. While low maintenance, be vigilant regarding siting; drought stress accelerates the onset of leaf scorch in exposed, sunny locations. Successful cultivation of this Chinese dogwood requires attention to drainage and consistent watering, especially in its first few seasons establishing its robust root system.
Landscape Uses
Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘Madison’ CROWN JEWEL functions superbly as a specimen tree due to its striking four-season display. Its manageable size—reaching heights and spreads between 15 and 30 feet—makes it appropriate for residential properties, effectively placed near patios or large lawns where its form can be appreciated. This Kousa dogwood also excels in small groupings, providing a focal point that draws the eye upward during its spectacular spring bloom.
Beyond formal settings, this dogwood integrates beautifully into woodland gardens or shrub borders. Consider pairing it with acid-loving, dark green foundation plantings that contrast against its bright white bracts and later highlight the developing red fruit. Its use in bird gardens is encouraged because of the edible, persistent fruits that attract songbirds late into the season.
As a stunning flowering tree, it serves as an excellent anchor in mixed perennial beds or as soft structure near entryways. The summer leaf color variation noted in ‘Madison’ ensures that the shrub remains visually interesting even when not blooming, providing shades of gold and red that offer a unique textural element in summer landscaping schemes.
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
- Edible
Noteworthy Characteristics
Cornus kousa, commonly called Kousa dogwood, is a small, deciduous flowering tree or multi-stemmed shrub that typically grows 15-30’ tall, with a vase-shaped habit in the early years but eventually maturing to a more rounded form. Bloom occurs in late spring. The showy parts of the Kousa dogwood “flower” (3-5” across) are the four narrowly pointed petal-like white bracts which surround the center cluster of insignificant, yellowish-green, true flowers. Flowers are followed by berry-like fruits (to 1” diameter) which mature to a pinkish red in summer and persist into fall. Fruits are technically edible, but are usually left for the birds. Oval, pointed leaves (to 4” long) are dark green. Mottled, exfoliating, tan and gray bark on mature trees is attractive in winter. Var. Chinensis is native to China and is commonly called Chinese dogwood. It is a small, deciduous, flowering tree or multi-stemmed shrub that typically grows 15-30’ tall with a vase-shaped habit in the early years, eventually maturing to a more rounded form. Var. Chinensis is very similar to the species except for having slightly larger flower bracts, larger fruit, and larger, smoother and often more pubescent leaves. It is particularly noted for (a) abundant white-bracted flowers which bloom in profusion in May, (b) edible red berries (to 1.25” diameter) which mature in summer, and (c) showy orange-red fall foliage color.Genus name comes from the Latin word cornus meaning “horn”, possibly in reference to the strength and density of the wood. Cornus is also the Latin name for cornelian cherry (Cornus mas). May also be related to the Greek kerasos meaning “cherry”.Specific epithet is the Japanese name for this species.‘Madison’ is a cultivar that is particularly noted for its unusual but attractive summer leaf color. It was discovered in 1994 as a seedling growing at Brotzman’s Nursery in Madison, Ohio. Showy gold and red colors appear in late July to early August on the leaves of late summer flushes of new growth. These summer colors are primarily attributable to the onset of summer heat. Leaves retain these interesting summer colors until fall when they acquire the red and orange fall color typical of the species. If conditions of drought are present, the summer growth flush may not appear resulting in an absence of the summer red and gold coloration for the year. U.S. Plant Patent PP16,129 was issued on November 29, 2005. ‘Madison’ is sometimes sold under the trade name of CROWN JEWEL.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
A significant advantage of the Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘Madison’ CROWN JEWEL is its generally excellent disease resistance. Growers will find it superior to native Cornus florida, exhibiting excellent resistance to the dreaded anthracnose disease common in other dogwoods. Avoid problems by ensuring the tree is planted correctly without root disturbance.
Stressed trees, however, remain vulnerable to secondary pests, particularly borers, which might target otherwise healthy specimens weakened by environmental factors. To mitigate this, provide the medium water needs consistently, especially during establishment and summer heat waves. Furthermore, placing the Kousa dogwood where it receives afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch, which often appears under hot, windy, or droughty conditions in full sun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Kousa dogwood suitable for?
This Kousa dogwood cultivar, Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘Madison’ CROWN JEWEL, is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘Madison’ CROWN JEWEL grow?
This small flowering tree typically matures to a height between 15 and 30 feet, with a similar spread ranging from 15 to 30 feet.
When does Kousa dogwood bloom?
The white, showy flowers of this variety appear in the landscape from April to May, offering color after many early spring bloomers have faded.
What sun exposure does Cornus kousa var. Chinensis ‘Madison’ CROWN JEWEL need?
This variety performs well in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade, though protection from intense, hot afternoon sun is often beneficial.
Conclusion
The Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘Madison’ CROWN JEWEL stands out as a superior ornamental tree in the landscape palette, offering reliable spring blooms, attractive summer foliage interest, and great late-season color. As it possesses low maintenance needs and better disease resistance than many alternatives, this Kousa dogwood is an excellent investment for structure and beauty. Before planting, confirm that your location falls within USDA Zones 4-8 and that you can meet its requirement for medium water and well-drained, rich soil.
Wildlife Benefits
This Kousa dogwood cultivar serves as a valuable resource for local wildlife throughout the season. While the true flowers are small, the subsequent berry-like fruits (technically edible by humans) are highly attractive to numerous bird species once they mature to a pinkish-red in summer and persist into the fall. Planting Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘Madison’ CROWN JEWEL near feeder stations or natural areas can help sustain bird populations.
Furthermore, the dense branching structure, especially in its vase-shaped habit during younger years, offers suitable nesting sites and cover among the foliage. By focusing on providing organic-rich soil and consistent moisture, gardeners support a healthy canopy that benefits beneficial insects and provides shade, creating a micro-ecosystem attraction within the yard.
Companion Planting
This cultivar thrives in acidic to neutral soil profiles, meaning companion plants should share similar cultural requirements for best results. Pair the Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘Madison’ CROWN JEWEL with other acid-lovers like Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Japanese Maples, which appreciate similar partial shade conditions. These pairings create harmonious texture and form contrasts beneath the dappled canopy of the dogwood.
For ground cover beneath its spread, consider ferns or hostas, both excellent choices for shade tolerance and medium moisture needs that align well with this Kousa dogwood’s preferences. Avoid planting aggressive lawn grasses right up to the trunk, which can compete for water and stress the shallow root system of the tree.
