Little Poncho Japanese Dogwood
Bower & Branch Trees and Plants
Cornus kousa 'Little Poncho'
Regular priceThis plant is not available at this time through Bower & Branch. We provide this plant profile for reference only.
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Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 5-8
- Mature Height: 8-10' tall
- Mature Width: 8-10' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun/Part Shade
- Spacing: 8-10' apart
Why plant Little Poncho Japanese Dogwood?
The Little Prince, The Little Mermaid, The Little Engine That Could. Sometimes, great things come in small packages. Little Poncho Japanese Kousa Dogwood is a pint-sized character that brings a lot of joy to the landscape. Maturing at 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide, this tiny Tree takes up hardly any space at all, but it makes a big impact. In late spring and early summer, large frosty white flowers spangle the branches. In fall, the lush green foliage turns dazzling shades of scarlet and purple. For gardens big or small, it's a commanding focal point!
The Japanese have been passionate gardeners for centuries, but until relatively recently, they kept their most exquisite finds to themselves. When the U.S. finally forced open the door in the 1850s, Western plants-people got to see what they'd been missing. Naturalized American, Thomas Hogg, Jr. was one plant explorer who rooted out new treasures for the West, including the Japanese 'Kousa' Dogwood in 1875. Little Poncho is a special selection of Japanese Kousa Dogwood chosen for its extremely compact habit. It grows half the size of the typical Kousa Dogwood.
How to use Little Poncho Japanese Dogwood in the landscape?
Did we forget to mention yet another colorful ornamental feature of this amazing Tree? Little Poncho also gets strawberry-life, crimson-red fruits in late summer. The pulp inside is edible (though seedy!) and tastes like papaya!
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
How To Plant Little Poncho Japanese Dogwood
Plant Little Poncho Kousa Dogwood in an area of your yard that receives full sun or light shade. It's not too fussy about soils, but prefers an acid soil and needs good drainage. Unlike many Flowering Dogwood Trees, the Japanese Kousa Dogwood is highly resistant to disease -- most importantly, the dreaded anthracnose that has threatened so many of our native Dogwoods -- so you can rest easy with Little Poncho!
How To Water
Water weekly, or better yet, use the Bower & Branch® Water Element to deliver just the right amount of moisture to your tree throughout the growing season.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.
How To Prune
Pruning your Little Poncho Japanese Dogwood is not needed due to its dwarf habit, but if a prune is required, be sure to do so in late fall or early winter.