Being taller and with slightly larger leaves, this variety of ‘Chinese dogwood’ is a geographical form of the Japanese species.

The Chinese variety is very elegant and beautiful and was introduced into Britain in 1907.

It is regarded as one of the most popular and valued garden plants introduced by the great plant-hunter, Ernest Henry Wilson.

Although produced in abundance, the flowers are insignificant; it is the four white bracts surrounding each flower that are spectacularly conspicuous in summer, making this shrub one of the best for the garden.

The flowers and bracts are followed in autumn by masses of attractive, strawberry-like, red fruits, which also bear a slight resemblance to lychees.