Cornus 'Greensleeves' is a small deciduous understory tree offering year-round interest, grown for its elegant appearance, prolific flowering, heavy fruiting, and beautiful fall color. In late spring to early summer, large, broad flower bracts fully blanket the foliage-covered branches. Softly suffused pale green when young, the white blooms become cream-colored as they mature. Clusters of large, edible, deep pink, strawberry- to raspberry-like fruits (drupes) follow in mid to late summer, continuing into fall. The flowers are a food source for bees and butterflies, and the berries sustain songbirds and wildlife throughout fall and winter. The tree's canopy of large, shiny, dark green leaves turns robust shades of purple and red in fall; and its bark begins exfoliating as it matures, giving it an attractive, mottled appearance, extending the season of interest through winter.
'Greensleeves' is a Cornus kousa species, native to Japan, Korea, and China, commonly called Chinese dogwood or kousa dogwood. Kousa dogwood grows vigorously and has an upright branching habit when young, giving it a vase shape; as the tree matures, it becomes more horizontal branching, wide spreading, and rounded. Kousa dogwood can live between 50 and 150 years in optimal conditions, so careful placement is important. It makes a great specimen, shade, or patio tree but is especially eye-catching planted in groups.
An easy-grow, easy-care plant, 'Greensleeves' grows best in sunny to partly shady locations with organically rich, moist, well-draining soil, having a neutral to acidic pH. It has good heat tolerance and is generally pest free and deer resistant. Dogwood trees tolerate shade but flower best with some sun. They do not fare well in pollution, flooding, or drought. Consistent moisture is important. Adding mulch around the tree's base will help keep roots moist and cool in summer.
