Empress of China Dogwood

Cornus angusta ‘Elsbry’ Empress of China PP14537

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Depending on USDA Zone, Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen or Deciduous Flowering Tree or Large Shrub

Height at Maturity: 15-20′

Width at Maturity: 10-15′

Spacing: 8-10′ for solid hedge; 18’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Broad, Upright

Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate

Flower Color: White

Flower Size: 3″

Flowering Period: Spring

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Medium to Dark Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Filtered Sun

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 Slightly to Moderately Acidic

Maintenance / Care: Very Low when left in it’s natural form

Attracts: Pollinating Insects, Visual Attention, Songbirds

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Heat, Insect, Mildew

Description

Chinese evergreen dogwoods, Cornus angustata, are a relatively new group of landscape trees. Although they’ve been around since the 1990’s, they aren’t widely seen in landscapes, partly because many selections lack the floriferous quality of deciduous varieties. But that’s all changed with ‘Empress of China’, a new variety that shows off an abundance of flowers – up to 150 flowers per branch.

Empress of China grows vigorously up to 18 feet tall and 15 feet wide with a graceful, upright form. The flowers start bright green and open to white, blooming over an extended period of time from May until early July! Translucent, strawberry-like fruits follow and persist through winter to provide additional interest in the landscape and food for the birds. In mild winters, here in USDA Zone 8a of Georgia, the leaves on ours Empress of China remain bright green all the way through November, then gradually turn reddish-purple until spring when new growth eventually pushes the old leaves off. In colder region, this tree can be semi-evergreen to deciduous during colder winters.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing in an upright habit with a gracefully pendulous form 18 feet tall and 15 feet wide, Empress of China can be grown as a large shrub or lower branches can be removed to form an attractive, small tree. Because it keeps foliage year round, Empress of China is also suitable for use in partially shaded to shaded areas as a buffer or screen to block out unwanted views. Also effective to frame the corners of homes and to provide beauty and some shade around patios, porches and other outdoor living spaces. In a small, intimate space where an enclosed feeling is desired, the spreading branches can provide a pleasant natural roof. (Some pruning of the lowest branches might be necessary for this use.) Dogwoods always fit perfectly in the edges of woodland borders. A fine addition to white theme gardens, Azalea gardens, cottage and woodland gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 8 to 10 feet apart for solid hedge; 18 feet or more apart for space between trees

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a, where this Dogwood variety is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Growing Preferences

Dogwood trees are easy to grow when planted right and in the right spot. They prefer a moist but well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. As with many other types of ornamental trees, constantly soggy or wet soils can be problematic. Though dogwoods will tolerate full sun, we think they look and perform their best with some shade or filtered sun during the hottest part of summer afternoons.

Note: Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop screens or below on mobile phones.

Plant Long & Prosper!

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I am very happy with purchase so far. Looked locally for a evergreen dogwood but could not find. I searched on line and selected Wilson Bros due to good reviews, availability of the size product and helpful response from person that responded to questions when I called. The tree arrived at the earlier end of shipping estimated date in good condition. I was concerned that it may not as a heat spell hit at same time. Tree was well packaged and still moist. It is planted and I am looking forward to blooms.—————————-Hi Jean, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Empress of China Dogwood. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens