Cornus hongkongensis aka Hong Kong Dogwood

Cornus hongkongensis, or Hong Kong dogwood, belongs to the dogwood family, Cornaceae. This evergreen shrub or tree comes from southern China and northern Indochina. Its range includes Laos and Vietnam. It grows in a subtropical climate. Wild plants occur in thickets and broad-leaved evergreen woods. They also grow beside roads and streams, in valleys, and on slopes. These habitats lie from 1,312–8,202 feet [400–2,500 metres] above sea level.

Its size and form vary, but plants have a bushy habit. Garden trees can reach about 49 feet [15 metres] tall. The RHS places mature height above 39 feet [12 metres]. It lists a spread of 13–26 feet [4–8 metres]. Plants take about 10–20 years to reach maturity. The leaves stay on the plant through winter. They have a glossy surface and an oblong or oval shape. Young leaves may show copper-red tones before they turn green.

Flowers appear in spring, grouped in clusters of up to 70. Each true flower is small and greenish. Large cream-white bracts surround the clusters and provide the main display. These bracts can reach about 0.13 feet [0.04 metres] long. Round fruits may follow the flowers. Their colour ranges from red to yellowish red. The evergreen leaves, pale bracts, and bright fruits offer several garden features. The RHS suggests this species for cottage and informal gardens. PFAF also places it at sunny woodland edges or in dappled shade.

Grow it in full sun or partial shade. Choose fertile soil with plenty of humus and good drainage. It suits acid or neutral ground. Clay, loam, and sandy soils can all support it. The RHS lists moist, well-drained soil as suitable. Its H4 rating indicates hardiness through much of the UK. That rating covers minimum temperatures of roughly −10 to −5°C. Seeds and semi-hardwood cuttings provide ways to raise new plants.

Pests seldom cause trouble, though horse chestnut scale may occur. Cornus anthracnose and honey fungus are possible diseases. PFAF lists the fruit as edible, either raw or made into wine. It gives the species a low food-use rating. It reports no known hazards, but that does not establish complete safety. No medicinal uses are recorded there. The hard wood serves for building and farm tools. PFAF does not flag the species as weedy.