Blue Ray Kousa Dogwood

The Blue Ray kousa dogwood shares all of the excellent features of the kousa dogwood, while adding a deep bluish glow to the leaf color and a more modest 15 to 20 ft. stature. If you've ever wished a kousa dogwood's foliage could hold its own against the blooms rather than just playing the supporting role, Blue Ray is the answer. The large leaves carry a distinctive blue-green cast — almost a glaucous sheen — that sets it apart from every other kousa on the market. That unusual foliage lies flat against the branches, creating a clean layered effect that serves as a striking backdrop when the creamy white, star-shaped bracts arrive in late spring to early summer. The bracts are pointed and slightly overlapping, and they persist on the tree for up to a month — significantly longer than many kousa selections.

As fall deepens, the blue-toned leaves transform into rich shades of burgundy, maroon, and reddish-purple, extending the seasonal interest well into autumn. And then there's the bark. Younger Blue Ray specimens have smooth, light brown bark, but as the tree matures it develops the beautiful exfoliating mosaic of tan and brown patches that makes mature kousa dogwoods so striking in the winter landscape. Four seasons of genuine interest from a single tree — that's a hard combination to beat.

In the landscape, Blue Ray's moderate size and vase-shaped habit make it remarkably versatile. At 15 to 20 feet tall and wide, it's perfectly scaled for smaller residential lots, foundation plantings, patio areas, or as a specimen in a garden bed. It works beautifully planted solo where its layered branching and colorful foliage can take center stage, but also plays well with others — the blue-toned leaves create an unexpected and elegant contrast when planted alongside trees and shrubs with warmer green, gold, or burgundy foliage. Its horizontal branching structure creates a graceful canopy that provides dappled shade for understory plantings of hostas, ferns, or shade-loving perennials beneath.

Kousa dogwoods as a group are significantly more resistant to the anthracnose and powdery mildew that have devastated our native Cornus florida populations. Blue Ray carries this inherent advantage. NC State Extension notes that kousa dogwoods are generally disease and pest-free, though calico scale, dogwood borer, and powdery mildew can occasionally occur. The tree does best in well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter, in full sun to part shade. In the hotter reaches of its range (zones 7-8), afternoon shade is appreciated. Keep it consistently watered — kousa dogwoods do not like to dry out — and maintain a 3 to 4 inch mulch ring of organic material around the root zone. Pruning should be done after flowering to avoid removing the current season's blooms.

Kousa dogwoods are a valuable addition to the garden for wildlife, even though they are not native to North America. NC State Extension identifies the genus Cornus as supporting three specialized native bee species: Andrena fragilis, Andrena integra, and Andrena platyparia. The fruit is eagerly consumed by songbirds and squirrels, and the layered branching structure provides attractive nesting sites.For those looking for an easy disease resistant maintenance free ornamental Blue Ray kousa is a good choice for the beautiful bract blooms, extended bloom season and the blue foliage.

General care for any tree or shrub is easy, but like any living thing will require your attention. Please educate yourself and follow these simple rules.