Alphabetical Plant Listing

Cornus controversa 'Variegata' (Wedding Cake Tree)

Wedding Cake Tree, Giant Dogwood, Variegated Giant Dogwood


Graceful and spectacular, Cornus controversa 'Variegata' (Wedding Cake Tree) is a small deciduous tree with beautifully layered horizontal branches. The stems are red and the ovate green leaves are adorned with bright creamy margins. In late spring, small, creamy-white flowers appear in flattened clusters and provide a great floral show. The blossoms give way to black berries in late summer, which persist into fall, unless devoured by hungry birds. In summer, its canopy of layered branches provides shade and beauty. In the fall, it offers lovely yellow color before the leaves shed to the ground. One of the most stunning variegated trees, this Giant Dogwood makes a wonderful focal point for a small to medium-sized garden.

  • Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Grows up to 35-40 ft. high and across (10-12 m).
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade in acidic, organically rich, medium moisturewell-drained soils. Some afternoon shade is welcomed in hot summer areas.
  • Generally pest and disease free. Watch for horse chestnut scale.
  • Great choice as a specimen or in lawns, shrub borders, or foundation plantings.
  • Propagate by grafting

Dogwood Trees: Add Vibrant Beauty to Your Landscape

Want to learn how to grow and care for a Dogwood tree like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of these charming plants.Read More

Not sure which Cornus - Dogwoods to pick?
Compare All Cornus - Dogwoods

Buy Cornus controversa 'Variegata' (Wedding Cake Tree)

Requirements

Hardiness 6 – 9
Heat Zones 6 – 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 18, 19
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Cornus - Dogwoods
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 35' – 40' (10.5m – 12m)
Spread 35' – 40' (10.5m – 12m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

Buy Plants

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Cornus - Dogwoods

Guides with Cornus - Dogwoods


© Martin Ogden /www.teddingtongardener.com, ©Clive Nichols, Jacqueline Klose / Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 6 – 9
Heat Zones 6 – 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 18, 19
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Cornus - Dogwoods
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 35' – 40' (10.5m – 12m)
Spread 35' – 40' (10.5m – 12m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Cornus - Dogwoods

Guides with Cornus - Dogwoods

Plant Calculator

How many Cornus controversa 'Variegata' (Wedding Cake Tree) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Cornus controversa 'Variegata' (Wedding Cake Tree)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.