The Cornus kousa ‘Akatsuki’ is a distinguished cultivar of the Kousa Dogwood, celebrated for its unique ornamental qualities. This deciduous tree brings visual interest to the landscape across multiple seasons, making it a favored choice for gardeners.
Unique Features of Akatsuki Kousa Dogwood
The ‘Akatsuki’ Kousa Dogwood is recognized for its striking variegated foliage. Its leaves display a blend of green, cream, and pink, with wide, irregular margins of creamy white and pink that intensify in cooler weather. The white leaf margins transform into vibrant pink and purple hues in the fall, while the green interior takes on a darker red.
In late spring to early summer, this dogwood produces white to creamy-white flower-like bracts, often speckled or edged with pink. These bracts mature to a rose-pink or rosy red as the blooming season progresses. Following the floral display, edible, raspberry-like fruits, typically pink or red, emerge in late summer, attracting birds.
The ‘Akatsuki’ is a compact cultivar, generally reaching a mature height of 8 to 18 feet and a spread of 4 to 12 feet, often exhibiting an upright or pyramidal form. While young trees may not show significant bark exfoliation, mature specimens can develop ornamental bark that peels away to reveal coppery olive-green tones.
Planting and Site Selection
Proper site selection is important for ‘Akatsuki’ Kousa Dogwood. This cultivar thrives in full sun to partial shade, though afternoon shade is preferred in hotter climates to protect its variegated foliage from scorching. Adequate sunlight promotes better flower production and more intense fall color.
The tree prefers well-drained, acidic to neutral soil rich in organic matter. While it can tolerate some clay, poorly drained clay soils should be amended, as the root system is susceptible to root rot in waterlogged conditions. Improving soil drainage by incorporating compost or other organic materials before planting creates an ideal environment for root establishment. When planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. After placing the tree, backfill with amended soil and water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.
Ongoing Care for Akatsuki Kousa Dogwood
Consistent moisture is important for ‘Akatsuki’ Kousa Dogwood, particularly during dry periods and for newly planted trees. Young trees require regular watering for the first three to four years to establish a robust root system. Deep watering, soaking the soil thoroughly to penetrate the root zone, is more beneficial than frequent shallow watering.
Fertilization is best done in spring, aligning with the tree’s active growth phase. A slow-release shrub and tree food, or a balanced fertilizer with a higher nitrogen ratio, supports healthy foliage and flowering. However, if the tree is already producing healthy leaves and flowers, or is planted in a regularly fertilized lawn, additional feeding may not be necessary, as mature trees often obtain sufficient nutrients from the soil.
Pruning should be minimal for Kousa Dogwoods, focusing on removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches to maintain the tree’s natural shape. Pruning for shape can be done when the plant is dormant, typically from late autumn to early spring. Applying organic mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Leave a small gap between the mulch and the trunk to prevent moisture buildup that could lead to rot.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Like other Kousa Dogwoods, ‘Akatsuki’ is resistant to many common pests and diseases affecting other dogwood species. Pests such as borers and scale can sometimes affect dogwoods; maintaining overall tree health with proper watering and fertilization mitigates these problems.
Diseases like powdery mildew and anthracnose are less common in Kousa Dogwoods compared to other dogwoods, but they can still occur. Good air circulation, achieved through appropriate spacing and minimal pruning, helps prevent fungal issues. If leaf spot diseases appear, cleaning up and disposing of infected leaves reduces their spread.
Environmental stress, such as excessive sun or drought, can lead to leaf scorch, characterized by browning leaf tips and margins. This condition indicates insufficient water reaching the leaves, even if the soil seems moist, and is exacerbated by hot, dry, or windy conditions. Providing afternoon shade and ensuring consistent, deep watering during dry spells helps prevent scorch. Over-fertilization also contributes to leaf scorch.
Variegation reversion is a concern for ‘Akatsuki,’ where parts of the plant revert to solid green foliage. This occurs because the green parts contain more chlorophyll and grow more vigorously, potentially outcompeting the variegated sections. To maintain the variegated form, promptly prune out any branches that show solid green growth.