Kousa dogwood and Rowan are often considered for the same spot in the garden (specimen, flowers, pollinator friendly). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.
Cornus kousa 3 m × 2.5 m after 10 years
An elegant, slow small tree or large shrub that carries white, star-shaped bracts for weeks in late spring, then turns red in autumn and bears…
Sorbus aucuparia 5 m × 3 m after 10 years
A slender small tree with an open crown that offers white flower clusters in spring, orange-red berry bunches from late summer and yellow to reddish…
Rowan grows faster than Kousa dogwood.
Rowan is hardier: down to -40 °C, against -29 °C for Kousa dogwood.
Kousa dogwood needs less care than Rowan.
Kousa dogwood is non-toxic to children, Rowan is not.
Kousa dogwood is cheaper: about €9 at the size usually planted, against about €23 for Rowan.
|
Feature
|
Kousa dogwood
|
Rowan
|
|---|---|---|
| Group | Small tree | Small tree |
| Size after 10 years | 3 m × 2.5 m | 5 m × 3 m |
| Ultimate size | 4.5–9 m × 4.5–9 m | 6–15 m × 2.5–8 m |
| Growth rate | Slow | Medium |
| Light | Full sun, Part shade | Full sun, Part shade |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Acidic | Average garden soil, Acidic, Sandy |
| Hardiness | down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) | down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7) |
| Foliage | Deciduous | Deciduous |
| Flowering | May–June, white, pink | May–June, white |
| Water need | Medium | Medium |
| Drought tolerance | Low | Low |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
| Planting distance | 400 cm | 500 cm |
| For dogs | Non-toxic (uncertain) | Mildly toxic (uncertain) |
| For cats | Non-toxic (uncertain) | no data |
| For children | Non-toxic | Mildly toxic |
| Typical price | approx. €9 | approx. €23 |
Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 13, 2026
Besides the cookies the site needs to work, we would like to use analytics and advertising cookies (Google, Facebook), if you allow it. Details