Samaritan Kousa Dogwood

Samaritan Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa 'Samzam')

Samaritan Kousa Dogwood is a variegated flowering tree valued for its bright foliage, white blooms, and refined ornamental form. Its green to blue-green leaves are edged in creamy white, giving the tree strong color and contrast from spring through fall. White flowers appear in late spring to early summer, followed by red, strawberry-like fruit that adds seasonal interest and can attract birds. With its manageable size, disease resistance, and polished appearance, Samaritan Kousa Dogwood is a strong choice for front yards, entry gardens, mixed borders, and specimen plantings.

Distinctive Features

Samaritan Kousa Dogwood is best known for its variegated foliage, with green to blue-green centers and broad creamy white margins that brighten the landscape even when the tree is not in bloom. In late spring to early summer, showy white bracts appear above the foliage, creating a clean dogwood display that pairs well with the colorful leaves. Red, rounded, strawberry-like fruit may develop in late summer to fall, adding ornamental value and supporting birds. Fall color can include pink, red, and burgundy tones, while mature trees may also develop the mottled exfoliating bark associated with kousa dogwoods.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Grows best in full sun to partial shade, with afternoon shade helpful in hot or exposed locations to protect the variegated foliage.
• Soil: Prefers fertile, acidic to neutral, well-drained soil with good organic matter and steady root-zone moisture.
• Water: Performs best with medium, even moisture, especially during establishment and periods of summer heat or drought.
• USDA Zones: Hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8.
• Mature Size: Typically reaches about 15 to 25 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide with age.
• Habit: Forms a small deciduous ornamental tree with an upright to vase-shaped habit when young, maturing to a rounded to broadly spreading canopy.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a colorful foliage focal point in front yards, entry gardens, courtyards, or open lawn areas where its variegation and flowers can stand out.
• Specimen Tree: Plant as a standalone ornamental tree where its variegated foliage, white flowers, fruit, fall color, and bark can be appreciated across multiple seasons.
• Mixed Border: Add to shrub and perennial borders for height, foliage contrast, late spring flowers, and refined small-tree structure.
• Foundation Planting: Use near larger homes or broad foundation beds where bright foliage can soften architecture and add season-long contrast.
• Wildlife Garden: Include in bird-friendly landscapes where its late-season fruit can provide ornamental value and seasonal wildlife interest.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water deeply during the first few seasons and during dry periods to keep the root zone evenly moist but not saturated.
• Mulching: Apply a broad mulch ring to conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature, and reduce competition from turfgrass.
• Pruning: Prune lightly during dormancy or after flowering to remove dead, damaged, crossing, crowded, or reverted branches while preserving the natural form.
• Fertilizing: Fertilize only when needed based on soil conditions, avoiding excessive nitrogen that can push weak or overly soft growth.
• Deer Resistance: Shows useful deer tolerance once established, though young trees may still need protection in high-pressure landscapes.
• Site Care: Provide good air circulation, avoid planting too deeply, and keep mulch pulled away from the trunk to support long-term health.

Why Choose Samaritan Kousa Dogwood?

• Variegated Foliage: Displays green to blue-green leaves with creamy white margins for strong color and contrast beyond the bloom season.
• White Flowers: Produces showy white bracts in late spring to early summer, extending dogwood interest after many earlier bloomers have finished.
• Seasonal Interest: Offers variegated foliage, white flowers, red fruit, pink to red fall color, and potential exfoliating bark with age.
• Disease Resistance: Provides the strong landscape performance and disease resistance often associated with kousa dogwoods.
• Versatile Size: Fits front yards, mixed borders, foundation plantings, specimen locations, and bird-friendly garden designs.

Samaritan Kousa Dogwood is an excellent choice for gardeners who want a flowering dogwood with bright foliage and dependable multi-season appeal. Its creamy variegation, white blooms, red fruit, fall color, and refined form make it a polished ornamental tree for landscapes that need color, structure, and year-round interest.