How Long Does It Take for a Kousa Sapling to Flower?

Age of Tree

• Dogwoods in general are not the easiest trees to cultivate, and the kousa dogwood is no exception. Dogwoods have very specific environmental preferences. They also don't like to be transplanted, and they grow rather slowly. Although a sapling may show a few flowers each spring, the tree likely won't truly start blooming until it becomes well-established in its location, which can take from five to seven years after the tree has been planted.

Bloom Time

• Most dogwood species bloom before the leaves unfurl, but not the kousa dogwood. This deciduous species blooms after the leaves have opened, which means it doesn't show its colors until June -- after the flowers on other spring-blooming trees have faded. Although dogwoods are known in part for their striking four-petaled flowers, the petals are actually modified leaves, or bracts. Each bract ends in a point. The bracts surround a cluster of tiny, yellowish-green flowers. The blooms last for about a month.

Appearance

• The kousa dogwood reaches a maximum height and width of about 30 feet. In the summer, the tree produces bright pink berries. In the fall, the foliage turns purple and scarlet, dropping in the winter to reveal the exfoliating bark. These things make the kousa dogwood an excellent choice for home gardeners who want a tree that will shine in all four seasons -- even if it doesn't bloom for a few years.

Climate and Culture

• Like most dogwoods, the kousa dogwood prefers cooler temperatures. It grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8 and in partial shade, although it does tolerate full sun better than other dogwood species. In the wild it is an understory plant, meaning that it is tucked away under larger deciduous and evergreen trees that cast shade. This dogwood is less drought resistant than others and prefers rich, moist, well-draining soil.