Why plant Tri-Splendor Variegated Japanese Dogwood?
Tri-Splendor Kousa Dogwood gets its name from the way the leaves are splashed with a festive mix of three colors in spring—apple green, white, and sunny yellow. And the flowers are variegated, too! The four showy “petals” (actually bracts) are a cool pale green color, edged in creamy white. Much more resistant to the diseases that can afflict our native Flowering Dogwoods, the Tri-Splendor Japanese Dogwood is a smart alternative in areas where Dogwood anthracnose and other Dogwood problems are present.
Growing trees from seed takes a lot of patience, but the payoff is that every once in a while you get the excitement of finding a seedling unlike any that has ever been seen before. That’s how the Tri-Splendor Kousa Dogwood originated in the nursery of Crispin Silva of Molalla, Oregon. Silva sowed a crop of ordinary Kousa Dogwood seedlings in 2000, and after they sprouted he was thrilled to find this perky nonconformist in the bunch. He patented the lucky find in 2008, and the new tree is just now becoming available. You can be one of the very first to own this special tree!
How to use Tri-Splendor Variegated Japanese Dogwood in the landscape?
This head-turning small to medium-sized ornamental specimen tree will light up your front yard entryway garden or backyard retreat in spring, winning oohs and has from your neighbors and guests. With the advent of hot weather, Tri-Splendor Kousa Dogwood begins to lose its variegation, and by the end of summer, the leaves are green. However, that doesn’t mean the show is over. Tri-Splendor will delight you in fall when its leaves take on tones of pink and red. As with other Kousa Dogwoods, you can also expect pretty raspberry-red fruits to spangle its branches in late summer. Bark that exfoliates in patchwork patterns over time will add yet another layer of interest to an already phenomenal tree.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
How To Plant Tri-Splendor Variegated Japanese Dogwood
Tri-Splendor Kousa Dogwood might look like a diva, but it actually has simple needs. Plant it in full sun or light shade (it likes more shade where summers are very hot), in soil that drains well. Mulch your tree with wood chips or bark to keep the roots cool and moist. Tri-Splendor will form flower buds for the next year in summer, so do any necessary pruning right after the flowers fade.
How To Water
This tree appreciates regular irrigation when rain is lacking; simply use the Bower & Branch™ Water Element system to deliver the right amount.
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
As your tree grows, you’ll probably want to remove the lowermost branches to show off that amazing jigsaw-puzzle bark! Pruning is best done shortly after the flowers are spent.