"The Kousa Dogwood tree, Cornus kousa, or Japanese Flowering Dogwood, is a handsome small specimen tree or shrub. The Kousa is not as susceptible to disease as the White Dogwood in spring. It is planted as a specimen, near a patio, or in groupings. Kousa Dogwood trees blooms later than the White Dogwood and with a softer petal flower than the White Flowering Dogwood. The flowering tree, Kousa Dogwood, has low water requirements and displays a moderate tolerance for salt and alkali soils."