Little Poncho Dogwood Tree (Cornus kousa ‘Little Poncho’)

The gorgeous Little Poncho Dogwood Tree (Cornus kousa ‘Little Poncho’) features a charming form, with branches that spread wide in horizontal tiers. Whether you have limited garden space, or live large on an acreage or more – you want a plant that gives you multiple seasons of interest!

Little Poncho delivers big in all seasons. When the branches are covered with creamy white blooms for springtime, you’ll swear it looks like a living Wedding Cake! You’ll see a variety of butterfly visitors to your yard. They really appreciate the flat bracts (much easier to land on!) and the valuable early nectar resource.

The sophisticated blooms last a long time. Cut a few of the flowering branches for a very special indoor arrangement. Why not add several Little Ponchos to your yard so you have plenty to enjoy on your tablescapes each year?

Because they are held above the new leaves on top of the branches, Little Poncho’s flowers are extraordinarily showy; with four pointed bracts surrounding the olivine orb of tiny true flowers in the center. In early summer, the pointed, glossy leaves come out. They’ll wear a dark green cloak for you all season. The branches start low on the canopy and serve double duty as a beautiful privacy screen.

In fall, it treats you to a vivid color display of multi-hued scarlet red fall foliage. The trees are decorated with raspberry-red fruits. Look fast to see them, they’ll be eaten quickly by hungry songbirds. The wildlife value of these petite plants can’t be understated. Make yourself happy, and thrill your local pollinators and songbird populations with this choice!

Even in winter, the pretty textured gray bark and the lovely form add visual interest. Watch as light snowfall is caught and sculpted by the tiered branches. Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 5 to 8, these dwarf Dogwoods grow just 8-10 feet tall and wide!

Planting and Application:

Add ethereal drama to your landscape with this special small accent tree. You’ll find many ways to use this Kousa Dogwood in your landscape. A single tree makes an exceptional specimen in front of your picture window. A series of three or more can be planted in a loose, informal grouping on a berm.

It’s tiny enough to grace patio plantings and use in condo courtyards. Enjoy color all season long! You could also add plenty of long-flowering plants and perennials for a very personal Bird and Butterfly Garden! These trees would make a magnificent focal point in an outdoor Meditation Garden. Or, use them in a row to create “living walls” of an outdoor Yoga Studio.

Have a drab patio? Add a series of Little Poncho Dogwoods in matching outdoor containers for a high-end, designer look – the easy way! Take this idea and create a patio planting bed behind your seating area. Use a series of Little Ponchos as ornamentation and blissful privacy screening. They work well in large outdoor containers, too. These Dwarf Kousa Dogwood trees become a wonderful “Thriller” to please you and your guests for many years to come.

Even if your yard is small, you can tuck several of these beautiful trees into place. Plant a row of them along your fence line to create valuable privacy. Create a solid screen by planting them six feet apart on center. Measure from the center of one to the center of the next. No one ever said a “row” had to be straight, either. Perhaps you would enjoy a more natural look of an undulating series of curves.

Try them near the edge of a pond. You’ll love seeing the reflection of these shapely small trees in the water. Site them where you see them from your dock or add a seating area nearby. Allow yourself to spend time contemplating the beauties of nature. Add to a special Flowering Dogwood collection. This variety blooms a bit later than other varieties and will help extend that glorious season of spring flowers in a naturalized grouping or clusters.

• Petite Kousa Flowering Dogwood Tree
• Incredible White Flowers Float Above the Branches in Early Spring
• Creamy White Bracts Surround Olive Green Eyes
• Long-Lasting Floral Display – Butterflies Adore the Blooms!
• Shiny, Dark Green Foliage All Summer Long
• Outspread Branches Create a Gorgeous Feature Plant
• Beautiful Mix of Burgundy, Red & Scarlet Fall Color
• Local Songbirds Love the Bright, Showy Fruit in Fall
• Versatile – Works in Larger & Small Spaces & Perfect for Large Containers

Tips for Care:

Grow these versatile Dogwood trees in full sun or partial shade or in the ground. Little Poncho will appreciate a little afternoon shade in the hottest summers. They’ll do best with at least four hours of direct sunlight a day. These trees prefer well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. If you are growing them in containers, use an Acid Lovers planting mix. In the ground, add a few handfuls of peat moss to the backfill soil. Keep your Little Poncho well-watered with a medium amount of water on a regular basis. Watch containerized trees and young trees in their first season, as they may need more frequent watering. Protect your investment with careful watering.

They love a 3-4 inch layer of mulch over their root systems. Top with pine bark mulch or pine straw, which will naturally support the soil acidity. If needed, prune them to shape while dormant. Make a pruning plan before you start, removing damaged or crossing branches.

• Long-Lived in Full Sun & Partial Shade
• Moderate Moisture Needs
• Enriched, Well-Drained Acidic Soil
• Prune When Dormant
• Space-Saving Dwarf Size

Little Poncho Dogwood may be tiny, but they are mighty in terms of their appeal throughout the year.