Greensleeves Kousa Dogwood

'Greensleeves' kousa dogwood earns its name from the subtle chartreuse blush that tints its creamy white bracts when they first emerge in early summer. As if someone dipped the edges of each pristine white bract in the faintest whisper of spring green, these large, broad, pointed blooms create an elegant display that lasts for weeks—appearing a full month after our native flowering dogwoods have finished their show. The four perpendicular bracts surround tight clusters of small greenish flowers, and the whole production occurs nestled among some of the glossiest, most luxurious foliage you'll find on any kousa. The dark green leaves are unusually shiny and waxy with slightly wavy margins, their yellowish-green venation creating distinctive patterns against the deep green surface. These pointed leaves weather beautifully through the growing season before transforming into brilliant shades of red and purple in fall. We're big fans, and we even have a Greensleeves in our front yard. It has great shape, flowers consistently, and the leaves stay full and glossy unbothered by most insects.

The tree itself grows with vigor into a vase-shaped form in youth, reaching 20 to 25 feet tall and wide at maturity, eventually developing the characteristic horizontal branching layers that make mature kousas look like living architecture. As if the flowers weren't enough, 'Greensleeves' follows up with an exceptionally heavy fruit set—large, deep pink to salmon-red berries that resemble spiky raspberries dangling from the branches in late summer and fall. These strawberry-like fruits provide spectacular visual interest against the dark green foliage, and when the leaves drop, the mottled tan and brown exfoliating bark creates a jigsaw puzzle pattern that adds winter interest to the garden.

'Greensleeves' excels as a specimen tree for small gardens, foundation plantings, or positioned near patios where its layered branching and four-season interest can be appreciated up close. The glossy foliage makes an excellent backdrop for other flowering shrubs and perennials throughout summer, while its relatively compact size (compared to shade trees) allows it to fit into tighter spaces where you want a real showstopper. Plant it where you can enjoy the early summer blooms from a window or seating area—the cream-and-green bracts glow against the deep foliage in a way that photographs simply cannot capture. Like all kousas, it performs best in well-drained, organically rich, slightly acidic soil with consistent moisture, though it tolerates some drought once established. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal, particularly in southern climates (zone 8+), though it can handle full sun in cooler regions.

'Greensleeves' was selected by Polly Wakefield of Milton, Massachusetts, who recognized its exceptional vigor, abundant flowering, and particularly heavy fruit production [1]. The cultivar earned high praise from renowned dogwood authorities Paul Cappiello and Don Shadow, who called it "one of the very best kousa varieties" in their authoritative book Dogwoods [2]. It combines the disease resistance characteristic of Cornus kousa species—particularly resistance to the devastating dogwood anthracnose that plagues our native flowering dogwood—with outstanding ornamental qualities and reliable performance across a broad range of growing conditions. While the exact introduction date remains undocumented in available academic sources, 'Greensleeves' has proven itself in cultivation as a vigorous grower with excellent nursery performance and universal appeal among both professional landscapers and home gardeners.

The abundant flowers of 'Greensleeves' attract specialized pollinators including three species of Andrena mining bees (Andrena fragilis, A. integra, and A. platyparia), along with halictid bees and cerambycid beetles—providing important nectar sources in early summer when many spring ephemerals have finished blooming. The exceptionally heavy fruit set that characterizes this cultivar draws songbirds, squirrels, and other wildlife who find the high-fat, edible berries irresistible. Birds devour the fruit quickly when it ripens, and you may find yourself competing with wildlife (and reportedly, Labrador Retrievers) for access to these raspberry-like treats. The layered branching structure also provides excellent nesting sites for robins, mockingbirds, and other songbirds. However, it should be noted that as a non-native species, Cornus kousa provides less ecological value to native wildlife than our native flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), particularly for specialist insects that evolved alongside native species [3]. That said, 'Greensleeves' makes a sensible alternative in locations where dogwood anthracnose makes growing native dogwoods challenging, offering beauty, reliable performance, and at least some wildlife value where a struggling native tree would provide none.

[1] Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, 6th ed., 2009.
[2] Cappiello and Shadow, Dogwoods: The Genus Cornus, 2005.
[3] https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cornus-kousa/

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