Empress of China Dogwood

Cornus angusta ‘Elsbry’ Empress of China PP14537

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Depending on USDA Zone, Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen or Deciduous Flowering Tree or Large Shrub

Height at Maturity: 15-20′

Width at Maturity: 10-15′

Spacing: 8-10′ for solid hedge; 18’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Broad, Upright

Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate

Flower Color: White

Flower Size: 3″

Flowering Period: Spring

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Medium to Dark Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Filtered Sun

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 Slighty to Moderately Acidic

Maintenance / Care: Very Low when left in it’s natural form

Attracts: Pollinating Insects, Visual Attention, Songbirds

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Heat, Insect, Mildew

Description

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.

Landscape & Garden Uses

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.

Suggested Spacing: 8 to 10 feet apart for solid hedge; 18 feet or more apart for space between trees

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a, where this Dogwood variety is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Growing Preferences

Dogwood trees are easy to grow when planted right and in the right spot. They prefer a moist but well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. As with many other types of ornamental trees, constantly soggy or wet soils can be problematic. Though dogwoods will tolerate full sun, we think they look and perform their best with some shade or filtered sun during the hottest part of summer afternoons.

Note: Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop screens or below on mobile phones.

Plant Long & Prosper!

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It’s been almost a year since I bought my Empress of China dogwood. I’m very pleased with it! It was shipped quickly, packaged very well, and was a nice size. It had beautiful white bracts this spring that lasted well into June. It is putting on lots of new growth. Beautiful!———————————————Thanks for the photos! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The 3 gallon tree arrived in very good condition with no loose dirt and it was much taller than I expected. I’m very happy with our purchase and I can’t wait to see it this spring.————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This came carefully packaged and in great condition. The tree was healthy and looks wonderful. I’m very pleased with my purchase.—————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

These trees arrived very healthy and well packaged as always. I’ve been looking for evergreen dogwoods for over 2 years now and was so happy to find them at Wilson Bros. Every tree and plant I’ve ordered from them (many now) has arrived healthy and are growing beautifully. Always very pleased with my purchases. Highly recommend Wilson Bros.———————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I’ve looked for this plant for over a year with no success, but I was notified by Wilson Bros. that they had it in stock. I ordered one right away. It was much better than I was expecting—it was around 4’ tall and healthy. The boxing was the best I’ve had received and the delivery was fast. I was so happy, I ordered a second.—————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I recently purchased and received a 3gal Empress of China Kousa dogwood. I am very impressed with your packing and protection of a potted plant. It arrived in excellent condition and timely manner without FedEx damaging the container. I appreciate the requested picture of the plant before purchase and received the actual pictured plant. These dogwoods are rare to find; I’ve has local garden center in both Hot Springs and Little Rock looking for an evergreen dogwood for over 3 years but to no avail. Thank you for supplying this plant. Looking forward to seeing it bloom the first time. I now have my eye on a La Peppermint camellia which is also very difficult to find. With the free shipping and no tax and superb quality, your prices are a great buy!—————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The dogwood was very well packaged, looks healthy and was impressed with the size particularly the height for a 3-gallon tree. My only negative was that the tree was very root bound. I have repotted it adding more soil and mulch until I plant it in the ground Overall, I am very pleased with this order and will not hesitate to order again.————————————-So sorry about the rootbound problem…..keep us posted. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This tree came extremely well packed and in excellent condition. We look forward to it thriving in our yard in the years ahead.————————————————We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

My Empress of China arrived in good shape — packaging was well-designed. I look forward to seeing it mature.————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Only compliments for my order…great selection, good quality…healthy plant, reasonable priced and received quickly!
Thanks.————————————————We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks so much for the kind words and awesome review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Very healthy and robust specimen. Very happy with quality of tree and condition of arrival!————————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

My tree arrived beautifully packaged and in wonderful condition … something I am regularly experiencing with Wilson Bros. Add to that the fact that the tree itself was a gorgeous specimen, clearly lovingly raised to this point. My only hope is to keep the thing going till it matches their picture in my yard … a high hope, I would say. Wilson Bros is my new go to for camellias and anything they may sell that I am looking for. I highly recommend them and their fare.————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks so much for the kind words and wonderful review review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

It was well packaged and received in great shape.
Planted within 24 hours. It is now covered with the start of new leaves.
Well pleased.
Thanks,————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Beautiful healthy Plants and Awesome Customer Service, Will Definitely purchase from Wilson Brothers again and again :)—————————————————Thanks so much for your review. Let us know if there’s ever anything we can help you with. 🙂 – Beth | WBG

I received my dogwood. Its in great shape and look forward to seeing it blooms!———————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I am very pleased with the quality of this dogwood.. It is large, full, and very healthy. If I had been able to choose the tree myself I am certain that this would have been my choice.——————————–Thanks so much for the great review! We are so glad you are pleased! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Very good tree and great service, thank you.————————-WBG Reply: Hi Melih, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Empress Of China Dogwood . We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

What a lovely tree. Healthy, large and already blooming. I have purchased many items from Wilson Brothers. Plants arrive vigorous and well packaged. Customer service beyond compare. I wish we lived closer so I could visit. We appreciate your help with our new house’s landscape.—————————————WBG Reply: Hi Sharon, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Empress Of China Dogwood. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Plants received promptly in excellent condition. Extremely well packaged to preclude damage. Trees were as described and very healthy. Already showing new growth!———————————WBG Reply: Hi Hugh, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Empress Of China Dogwood. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Plant was delivered quickly and was in good shape when I opened the box. It has all of it leaves in the middle of winter. I expect it to be a good plant year -round.—————————–WBG Reply: Hi Stuart, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Empress Of China Dogwood. We are glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

What an awesome tree. It is already in the ground at it’s new home! I can’t wait to see the blooms. —————— WBG Reply: Hi Brenda – Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Empress of China Dogwood and we hope you enjoy this magnificent tree for years to come. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can do for you! We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

I ordered the 5 gallon tree and it came fast, well-packaged and in good condition. I planted it and waited a few months before reviewing – it’s growing fine and starting to bloom. I can’t wait to watch it grow over the years! ———————- WBG Reply: Hi Erin – Thanks for your review of the Empress of China Dogwood tree you purchased from us and we’re happy to hear it is thriving and blooming! Hope you enjoy this magnificent tree for years to come. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can do for you. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

I am over the moon about my experience with my order of the Empress of China Cornus Kousa! It arrived at my house the next day after I ordered it! It was perfectly packaged and in such beautiful condition! I will definitely be ordering again. And my hubs and I are planning a “field trip” to the garden center! So very impressed! ——————— WBG Reply: Hi Sherry – Thanks so much for your review of the Empress of China Dogwood and for all the compliments – it makes everything we do even more worth the while. Hope you enjoy this wonderful tree for years to come. Would love to have you visit the nursery and garden center. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can do for you. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

Arrived in perfect condition and was just as described. Love it so much when we sold our home I dug it up and took it with us.
——– WBG Reply: Hi Judy – Thanks so much taking the time to provide your review! I don’t blame you for digging it up to take to the new home place – it’s an absolutely beautiful and unique tree, and not always so easy to find in the marketplace. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens