Why is my Kousa dogwood not blooming?

One common reason why a Kousa dogwood fails to bloom is the plant's age. Some Kousa dogwoods take 10 years before they begin to bloom, though most bloom after five to seven years. The Milky Way Kousa dogwood is one variety known for earlier blooms.

Inappropriate growing conditions can also affect a Kousa dogwood's blooming cycle. The Kousa dogwood prefers plenty of sun and moist soil. It is not drought-tolerant, but adequate irrigation can help it pull through. Excessive use of a high-nitrogen fertilizer encourages the Kousa dogwood to grow vigorously. This delays flowering as more energy is put into growth than into production of blooms.