Wedding Cake Tree
Cornus controversa 'Variegata'
Common Name: Wedding Cake Tree
Genus: Cornus
Species: controversa
Cultivar: 'Variegata'
The term Cornus is derived from the Latin for ‘horn’ a reference to the hard wood of the trees and shrubs in the Genus.
Category: Trees
Height: 8.00 m (800 cm)
Spread: 8.00 m (800 cm)
Hardiness: Hardy
Growth Rate: Average
Flowering Period: June
Foliage Type: Deciduous
Foliage Colour: Green, Purple, Red, Variegated, Cream, White
Sun/Shade: Full sun or Partial shade
Soil Type: Normal/Loam or Clay/Heavy
Soil Moisture: Moist, but well drained
Features: Has interesting foliage, A good architectural plant, Has colourful autumn foliage
The Wedding Cake Tree gets it’s name from the tiered layers of horizontal branches that develop this distinctive structure and shape with age, resembling the tiers of a wedding cake. Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ is deciduous, before the leaves fall in autumn they display lovely red-purple colours. Throughout the rest of the year, the leaves are bright green with a very distinctive, broad cream-white border.
In late spring/early summer flat clusters of creamy white flowers begin to open on the Wedding Cake Tree. The clusters are 15-20cm across.
It is best to let Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ develop it’s shape naturally and not interfere by pruning except if there are any crossing or dead branches.
Although it tolerates dappled shade it performs best in
fertile moisture-retentive soil in full sun.
Garden Care:
Incorporate a quantity of well-rotted garden compost or horse manure in
the planting hole to improve the moisture-retentive qualities of the
soil. The tree requires no regular pruning since this would interfere
with its graceful tiered habit.
Similar Plants:
Winter Dogwood
Cornus alba ’Aurea’
Red-barked dogwood
Cornus alba 'Sibirica'
Chinese Dogwood
Cornus kousa var. chinensis
Related Articles:
Stumbleupon
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
Twitter
