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Produce => Non Edible Plants => Topic started by: caroline7758 on September 27, 2007, 15:43:31

Title: Cornus kousa chinensis?
Post by: caroline7758 on September 27, 2007, 15:43:31
I bought 3 of these (or 3 plants labelled as this!) as small shrubs about 4 years ago. They are now about 8ft tall but have never produced any flowers. I am going to take at least one of them out this autumn as it's getting too big for the space it's in, but I'm wondering whether anyone knows - do they take a long time to flower? If so, I may take them all out and replace them with something more interesting!
Title: Re: Cornus kousa chinensis?
Post by: valmarg on September 27, 2007, 18:28:07
I bought one several years ago, I forget how many.  It did take a few years to (being the pedantic old biddy that I am) form bracts.  Last year it put on a wonderful display.  This year, the whole shrub - dead as a doornail, for no apparent reason.

I can recommend being a bit patient, as when it does put on a show it is fantastic.  It is an all-season shrub, you have the show of bracts in the spring, followed by the strawberry-like fruits in the summer, and the wonderful autumn colour of the leaves.  During the winter the stems of the plants are a lovely colour.

I must admit, there are one or two other shrubs in the garden that I would have preferred to lose before the cornus.

If you have to take one of the shrubs out, so be it, but I would give the others another couple of years.  If nothing then, grub the lot out!!

valmarg
Title: Re: Cornus kousa chinensis?
Post by: caroline7758 on September 28, 2007, 10:33:45
Thanks for that, valmarg. It's a shame it's the best looking one that's going to have to come out. :(
Title: Re: Cornus kousa chinensis?
Post by: valmarg on September 28, 2007, 13:17:41
Sod strikes again!!

valmarg