Rutgers Venus® Dogwood

About

Summary Venus® is a distinct variety of dogwood tree that it is the result of crossing two varieties (Cornus kousa x Cornus nuttallii hybrid and Cornus kousa). Its large, creamy white flowers almost completely cover the tree and develop bracts in excess of 6 inches in size. Attractive, strawberry-like fruit are also produced and leaf colors range from a glossy dark green in the summer months to extensive yellow, green, and red coloring during the fall months. Growth is very vigorous with dense branching low to the ground and upright branches. An average height of eighteen feet and an average width of twenty feet have been achieved at twenty years of age. Branches also form a rounded head that is more wide than tall. Venus® has a good tolerance for drought conditions and has exhibited superior winter hardiness in USDA Plant Hardiness Map Zone 6a (-5° to -10° F). High resistance to the diseases powdery mildew and anthracnose has also been shown.   Market Application Home, garden, landscape, specimen trees, industrial landscape, parks, three-season interest: Spring (floral bracts); Summer (leaves, shape, shade); Fall (foliage color) and fruit.   Advantages Venus® has a unique combination of characteristics: • Large and abundant white flowers (bracts) • Attractive strawberry-like fruit • Extremely healthy and a vigorous grower  • Good tolerance of drought conditions • High disease resistance • Superior winter hardiness