Cornus kousa ‘Teutonia’, commonly known as the Teutonia Flowering Dogwood, is a compact, deciduous ornamental tree selected for its heavy flowering, decorative fruit, and manageable size. It belongs to the Cornus kousa group, native to East Asia, and is valued for combining elegant seasonal displays with resilience and low-maintenance care.
The most striking feature of Cornus kou Teutonia is its floral display. From June into July, it produces large, creamy-white bracts surrounding small true flowers at the centre. As the bracts mature, they develop a faint pink flush, giving the tree an additional layer of colour and charm. This midsummer show sets it apart from many other flowering dogwoods, which typically bloom earlier.
In late summer to autumn, the flowers give way to decorative fruits that resemble small, red strawberries. These add ornamental value and attract wildlife, particularly birds, to the garden. Alongside the fruit, the tree’s foliage undergoes a dramatic transformation. Its green leaves shift to bold shades of yellow, orange, and red, creating a fiery autumn display.
Even in winter, the Cornus kou Teutonia maintains garden interest. Its fine, layered branching structure provides a graceful silhouette, ensuring it contributes to seasonal appeal throughout the year.
Growing to around 3 metres in both height and spread after ten years, this tree is notably compact compared to many other dogwoods. Its modest size makes it highly suitable for small gardens, patios, and container planting, where space is at a premium but impact is desired. It can be used as a specimen feature or as part of mixed borders, fitting well into contemporary and traditional garden styles.
Cornus kou Teutonia prefers fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soils and thrives in neutral to acidic conditions. It performs best in full sun to partial shade and is tolerant of varying climates. Once established, it requires little maintenance beyond occasional pruning to remove damaged or crossing branches. The cultivar is generally disease-resistant, adding to its reliability and ease of care.
With its combination of showy bracts, striking autumn colour, compact habit, and low-maintenance requirements, Cornus kou Teutonia is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a small ornamental tree that delivers beauty across multiple seasons.
The Cornus kou Teutonia Tree is a compact ornamental dogwood that reaches around 3 metres in both height and spread after ten years, making it perfect for smaller spaces. Its neat, rounded habit ensures it remains manageable, while its tiered branching adds natural structure.
In midsummer, the tree is covered with large creamy-white bracts that mature with a faint pink flush, creating a striking floral effect. By autumn, clusters of red, strawberry-like fruits appear, adding ornamental interest and wildlife appeal. At the same time, the foliage undergoes a dramatic change, shifting from green to shades of yellow, orange, and red.
This seasonal variety ensures the tree offers visual appeal throughout the year. Compact and easy to grow, Cornus kou Teutonia is ideally suited for patios, borders, and container planting where space is limited but ornamental impact is desired.
