Cornus kousa Weavers Weeping - Flowering Dogwood

Cornus kousa 'Weaver's Weeping' is a weeping selection of Japanese dogwood. Over time, it forms a dome of vegetation as wide as it is tall, made up of gracefully arching branches that cascade to the ground. In spring, the foliage serves as a backdrop for the white flowering in the form of small, highly decorative four-branched stars. These develop into red-pink fruits. These large berries resemble strawberries and decorate the foliage in late summer. When autumn arrives, the foliage takes on stunning purple-red hues. Very hardy and less demanding to grow than its cousin, C. florida, this beautiful shrub undoubtedly deserves a prominent place in the garden.

Dogwood belongs to the relatively obscure Cornaceae family, which, after several revisions of botanical classification, now only includes the genera Cornus and Alangium. In nature, Cornus kousa is a tree of small stature or a large bush, growing in Japan, China, and Korea. Its sculptural silhouette, formed by generally tiered and horizontal branches, gives it a Japanese look. Numerous cultivars (cultivated varieties) have been selected, much to the delight of gardeners.

'Weaver's Weeping' is an original form with a weeping habit, which combines the advantages of Japanese dogwoods with unusual architecture. With relatively slow growth, this shrub eventually reaches a height of about 2.5m (8ft), sometimes 3m (10ft), at maturity, and spreads as wide, if not wider. Its flexible branches gracefully arch to form an irregular dome, with a relatively natural appearance despite its horticultural origin. The dense vegetation consists of opposite leaves, ovate to elliptical in shape with pointed tips, measuring 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in) in length. The leaf blade is a deep green with a slightly glossy surface and prominent veins.

From May to June, it bears beautiful inflorescences, which are typical of the species. They consist of a true central flower, spherical and green in colour, surrounded by four white bracts. Bracts are transformed leaves from a botanical point of view, but are often mistaken for petals. Slightly smaller than those of other varieties, measuring 6 to 8cm (2 to 3in) in diameter, these "flowers" have an irresistibly airy grace and are highly valued by enthusiasts. The true flowers turn into fruits that give this shrub the nickname "strawberry tree". These edible berries are quite decorative in late summer. As cold weather approaches, the plant offers a magnificent spectacle. The foliage gradually turns shades of red and purple.

Cornus kousa 'Weaver's Weeping' thrives in continental climates with distinct summers and winters, but also performs well in milder zones. Its great ornamental qualities fully justify planting it as a specimen on a lawn, where it will add life throughout the summer season. It will also be just as well-suited to a mixed border. Simply make sure to give it enough space to grow freely without being overtaken by faster-growing plants. Surround it with low-growing plants, which will also highlight its beautiful silhouette. If you plant it in partial shade, you can also plant Sarcococca at its base, a charming shrub with dark green evergreen foliage and deliciously fragrant winter white flowers. Fothergilla gardenii will take over with its white bottlebrush-like flowers blooming in April-May and its foliage turning warm autumnal colours. For summer, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Julisa' with large carmine-red flower heads, will provide a spectacle, and its purple foliage in spring will create a nice contrast with the dogwood's green.