Can't say from personal experience, but from literature, Satomi does not flower as much as Milky Way, and is also much less disease resistant. Not to say it will be diseased, but that when conditions favor disease it is more likely to develop something. That seems to be true for all red/pink Kousa's, as there is apparently some linked genetics. Also the warmer the climate (summer temps), the lighter the red/pink. I don't know if that means at the time of flower, or the overall temperature.

Milky Way is supposed to be about the most floriferous, but does not have the largest flowers. It is also "poly-clonal" meaning it originate from a number of individuals (in the case 15) that are very similar, instead of just one plant as most tree cultivars do. Blue Shadow is supposed to be very nice as well, and disease resistant, but it can be tough to find one of any size. Locally you get "Milky Way", species (no cultivar), Satomi, Venus (a hybrid with nutalli), and an occasional something else that has been forgotten in some corner.

We planted a Milky Way last spring, but the verdict is still out on it, as it has not had time to get established. It had great flowers this spring, but has set only a very few flower buds for next year (this is normal BTW). In contrast we also planted a couple small (4-5' tall, and perhaps 1/2" caliper) Cornus florida (Cherokee Brave, and Cherokee Princess) from a big box store that did not grow much, but have set large numbers of flower buds. These were planted earlier, and smaller trees establish faster.

Also here is a link of a garden group dedicated to Cornus. They are more geared toward the Pacific NW, but there is still allot of useful information.

Also one last thing. Reasearch at the University of Tennessee and other locations, indicated survival is better if planted in early spring instead of fall.

Let us know what you decide.
Arktrees

Here is a link that might be useful: Possible useful link:

I've had no problems with a lack of flowers on my 'Satomi'. I can't compare it to 'Milky Way' because I don't have one.
{{gwi:431168}}

Thank you arktree for the excellent feedback. botann, you're Satomi is gorgeous! I wonder if it is thriving because of your northwest climate. Out east I haven't seen too many Satomi but the standard species are in abundance which we might be leaning towards now. I wondered about the fall planting. Nurseries are offering great discounts around this time of year so it might be worth the gamble. I had planned on using mycorrhiza to help stimulate root growth.

Glad to be of some help to you. If the local nurseries have something you want for a good price, then I would probable go ahead and put it in the ground. But then again I planted a Sugar Maple in June last, and year got away with it. The research just said spring planting was best, but if I remember correctly, fall planting went pretty well too. Also the research was on Cornus florida for the most part.Go the University Tennessee/Tennessee Cooperative extension, or just google search for dogwood planting time to find the research.

Lastly, nurseries get their new dogwoods in spring, so I'm sure that is why they are making good deals on them now. Trying to make room for need years shipment which they have probable already ordered.

Arktrees

In general fall planting of hardy trees and shrubs is much better for multiple reasons. Have not read the above-mentioned discussion.

Have seen photos of 'Satomi' covered in flowers in the typical manner. Have also seen more than one small specimen of this cultivar that appeared to have anthracnose, forming a pattern in my mind. Others, such as 'Hanros' may not be prone - there are now multiple pink cultivars available.

Note that most can be expect to produce a wide-spreading habit with maturity. Cutting back to restrain size is not feasible as it spoils the shape of the branches.

While researching kousa's, a genetic analysis I found using DNA techniques indicated that Hanros, Satomi, Hearththrob etc. were genetically very very closely related and indistinguishable with the technique's used.. However Beni Fuji originated from a different source (SE Fuji mountain of Japan according to the patent application). Also, most or all of the pink kousa cultivars appear to be anthracnose susceptible. This seems to be closely tied to the pink color. However it still may vary some with the cultivar to just how badly they are susceptible.

Arktrees

I first heard of the pink ones having a genetic predisposition for susceptibility years ago after a friend saw someone, probably Dr Orton talk at a nursery trades show about dogwood breeding.

The Timber Press DOGWOODS book (excerpt below) says the DNA work in Tennessee was done on Heart Throb, 'Miss Satomi' and 'Rosabella', and that the picture could have been muddled by part of the material acquired for testing not being true-to-name. They also mention that Radiant Rose looks much the same but acts differently.

Could part of the answer be that there is a seed strain, or more correctly put, a botanical variety that yields a consistent phenotype?

bboy,
Seems that I got my cultivars wrong for the genetic analysis. :-)

"Could part of the answer be that there is a seed strain, or more correctly put, a botanical variety that yields a consistent phenotype? "

Would seem likely. It simply may be that there has been very few occurrences of pink in kousa, and so you have a founder effect with the disease susceptibility. I was never able to find anything that stated that some pink kousa's were NOT susceptible. I would think if one was not, that this would be touted by the originating nursery/farm.

Beni Fuji is most diffinately or a different genetic material as it originated from a seed collect on the SE slope of Mount Fuji, and it development as a cultivar is well documented. I was never able to find anything as to whether it's pinks were more warm climate stable or not, nor do I remember anything as to how it is affect by anthracnose. It is apparently a smaller tree however. Being listed as a max of 15' by the originator of the cultivar. If I were planting a pink kousa, Beni Fuji would probable be my first choice as where it originates is very warm and humid, and would seem more likely to be adapted to conditions where disease is more favored, and perhaps more pink in warm climates.