Cornus kousa 'Heart Throb'

Common Name:
Dogwood – Cornus kousa 'Heart Throb'

Description:
Cornus kousa 'Heart Throb' is a striking deciduous dogwood cultivar celebrated for its rich deep pink to rose-red floral bracts, which are among the boldest in the kousa group. Flowering in late spring to early summer, 'Heart Throb' delivers an exceptional show of colour, with overlapping bracts that form around the small central true flowers. Its lush, dark green foliage contrasts beautifully with the blooms and turns vibrant scarlet and burgundy tones in autumn, enhancing its multi-season interest. Compact in form but highly ornamental, this variety thrives in Melbourne’s climate, preferring a sunny to part-shaded location with moist, well-drained soil. It’s an excellent choice as a specimen tree, feature planting, or focal point in mixed borders.

Form:
Tree – Small
Tree – Medium

Mature Size:
Height: 3–4 m
Width: 3–4 m

Aspect:
Full Sun
Part Shade

Flowering:
Flowers in Late Spring
Flowers in Early Summer

Flower Colour:
Deep Pink
Rose Red

Key Attributes:
Spectacular Flower Display
Autumn Foliage Colour
Deciduous
Cold Hardy
Compact Form
Low Maintenance
Suitable for Feature Planting
Bird Attracting

Toxicity:
Non-toxic to humans and animals

Companion Plants:
Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief'
Magnolia 'Vulcan'
Loropetalum chinense 'Plum Gorgeous'
Hydrangea macrophylla
Liriope muscari