On my own property I find that the white variegated kousas are far more difficult to site right than other colors. I have a Snowboy that has struggled since I got it- I finally found it enough light yet still in a sheltered enough position and it has begun thriving. My Wolf Eyes was the same way- they want really good light but not direct sun. Maybe after they are established- I do see the odd kousa planted in full sun around here and wonder how they did it, but these are always solid green leaved varieties.

Remember to look at Cornus alternifolia, too- the yellow variegated varieties have been, in my experience anyway, much easier to grow. My Golden Shadows is one gorgeous tree and it's layered growth habit will knock your socks off.

Here is a variegated kousa dogwood that I saw today.

It's in full sun. Shame I didn't catch it in bloom.

Did pick up today and planted, in it's shady location, a small "Summer Fun".

Very nice. This is one of the better cultivars for vigor and sun tolerance.

I wonder how has been your experience with Summer Fun. I have a part sun location (in zone 7a new jersey) and i am trying to choose between Golden Shadows (yellow variegated) and summer fun. any suggestions from other?

Rouge -- Checking in on your "Summer Fun" -- it's either well established and thriving by now, or...it's not. Which is it?

Mine was planted spring 2024. It's still there but not much new growth. Not surprised at that, it was B&B'ed and these tend to take longer to establish for me. What did surprise me, though, was the amount of die-back. It was mostly at the branch ends so I trimmed it up and it looks fine now, but lost some height. I'm beginning to wonder if maybe the variegated dogwoods are just too finicky.

Wow! Good for you for looking far and wide in the forum. My Dogwood lasted maybe a season before it was eaten down by deer. I have been Dogwoodless since.

^^ Oh...sorry to hear that..

Funny you mention dogwoods just now as I saw a gorgeous one at a wonderful public gardens a couple of weeks ago (more on that in another thread). I think it is a "Samaritan Dogwood" and my picture does not do it justice to its colouring.

@porkchop_z5b_MI, it just glowed when I saw it in person....stunning it is.