Kousa Dogwood: Edible Fruit and Disease Resistance

A photo taken at Stone Mountain Park showed a tree with unusual pink, bumpy fruit. It was identified as a kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa), whose fruit has been especially abundant this year. The expert sampled the fruit at the Biltmore Estate and described the flavor as "lightly-sweetened vanilla custard."

Kousa dogwood blooms later than native flowering dogwoods, with large white flowers in May. It resists several leaf spot diseases that plague Cornus florida, making it a superior choice for many landscapes. The fruit is edible and ornamental, persisting into fall.

Why Choose Kousa Dogwood:

• Disease-resistant foliage.
• Showy spring flowers.
• Edible, decorative fruit.
• Attractive exfoliating bark with age.

A standout small tree for multi-season interest.