Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow . As our native dogwoods, Cornus florida, became susceptible to numerous diseases, horticulturists looked for alternatives. One Asian species does have some resistance to certain diseases and has become a popular substitute for our native small understory tree. Cornus kousa is a lovely tree with some differences. It blooms after the leaves have emerged, so you don’t get that airy aspect of our Cornus florida. As the