Cornus controversa 'Variegata'
(Wedding Cake Tree)
Family - Cornaceae
Category - Tree
Origin - Discovered in France
Discovered By - Introduced by the Barbier family
Year of Introduction - 1896
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H5
Height - 8m
Width - 8m
Location - The Cool Garden, The Pond Garden, The Stream Area
Description: A small, Deciduous tree with tiers of nearly horizontal branches, hence the common name of 'Wedding Cake Tree'. The attractive leaves are grey-green with white irregular variegation around the margins. Flat clusters of small, creamy-white flowers are held in clusters above the foliage. The flower clusters are produced along the branches from late spring into early summer and are followed by deep blue berries. The white variegation on the foliage develops a pink hue in the autumn before the whole of each leaf turns red.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Flower:
Small, white flowers in flat clusters are held above the foliage. The flower clusters are produced along the branches in May and June and are followed by deep blue berries.
Flower colour: White
Flower shape: Small flowers in clusters
Flowering time: May, June
Foliage:
Horizontally tiered branches hold grey-green foliage with irregular white variegation around the margins. The leaves are ovate to Elliptic in shape and are held on white petioles. The white variegation on each leaf develops pink markings in the autumn before the foliage turns red. The leaves are Alternately arranged along the branches.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Elliptic to ovate
Autumn Colour: Red
Propagation:
Grafting.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.