Cornus controversa
Wedding cake tree, Pagoda dogwood, Table dogwood
- Height × spread
- 2m – 7.5m × 2m – 11m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Striking tree with a strongly tiered appearance, just like a wedding cake! The leaves are green and some have white or yellow variegation. Some have rich purple or golden autumn colour before the leaves fall. In summer, clusters of white flowers appear, followed by blue black berries in autumn. It's slow-growing, reaching an eventual height of 7.5m. An elegant tree for small gardens.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Fruit colour
- Black, Blue
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Horizontal
- Height
- 2m – 7.5m
- Spread
- 2m – 11m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Winter
Winter · Planting
Prune to maintain the plant
The plant is best left largely unpruned. When dormant remove any branches that are dead or diseased. In addition, remove any branches that are awkwardly angled or which grow back through the centre of the plant spoiling its open shape.
Planting & general
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Found in
More Cornus
Cornus
Dogwood, Cornel
Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'
Silver variegated dogwood, Red-barked dogwood, White fruited dogwood, Tatarian dogwood
Cornus alba 'Kesselringii'
Red-barked dogwood, White fruited dogwood, Tatarian dogwood
Cornus alba 'Sibirica Variegata'
Siberian dogwood, Red-barked dogwood, Tatarian dogwood
Cornus alba 'Sibirica'
Siberian dogwood, Red-barked dogwood, Tatarian dogwood
Cornus alba Baton Rouge = 'Minbat'
Red-barked dogwood, White fruited dogwood, Tatarian dogwood
Cornus alternifolia 'Argentea'
Pagoda dogwood, Green osier
Cornus canadensis
Creeping dogwood, Bunchberry, Crackerberry, Pudding berry, Dwarf cornel