Empress Of China Dogwood – 7 Gallon Pot (4-5′)

Chinese evergreen dogwoods, Cornus angustata, are a relatively new group of landscape trees. Although they’ve been around since the 1990’s, they aren’t widely seen in landscapes, partly because many selections lack the floriferous quality of deciduous varieties. But that’s all changed with ‘Empress of China’, a new variety that shows off an abundance of flowers – up to 150 flowers per branch. 

Empress of China grows vigorously up to 18 feet tall and 15 feet wide with a graceful, upright form. The flowers start bright green and open to white, blooming over an extended period of time from May until early July! Translucent, strawberry-like fruits follow and persist through winter to provide additional interest in the landscape and food for the birds. In mild winters, here in USDA Zone 8a of Georgia, the leaves on ours Empress of China remain bright green all the way through November, then gradually turn reddish-purple until spring when new growth eventually pushes the old leaves off. In colder region, this tree can be semi-evergreen to deciduous during colder winters. 

Growing in an upright habit with a gracefully pendulous form 18 feet tall and 15 feet wide, Empress of China can be grown as a large shrub or lower branches can be removed to form an attractive, small tree. Because it keeps foliage year round, Empress of China is also suitable for use in partially shaded to shaded areas as a buffer or screen to block out unwanted views. Also effective to frame the corners of homes and to provide beauty and some shade around patios, porches and other outdoor living spaces. In a small, intimate space where an enclosed feeling is desired, the spreading branches can provide a pleasant natural roof. (Some pruning of the lowest branches might be necessary for this use.)  Dogwoods always fit perfectly in the edges of woodland borders. A fine addition to white theme gardens, Azalea gardens, cottage and woodland gardens.

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