Cornus controversa 'Variegata' wedding cake tree
Cornus controversa 'Variegata' variegated Dogwood
Cornus controversa 'Variegata' variegated Dogwood leaves
Cornus controversa 'Variegata' bush in pot
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Cornus controversa 'Variegata' wedding cake tree
Cornus controversa 'Variegata' variegated Dogwood
Cornus controversa 'Variegata' variegated Dogwood leaves
Cornus controversa 'Variegata' bush in pot

Cornus controversa 'Variegata' Tree

Cornus controversa 'Variegata' Tree

Wedding Cake Tree

From £75
From £75 £75
Save 15% on All Trees! Ends 31 Oct 🍂 Use code GROW15
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Awards RHS Award of Garden Merit
Plant height icon
Final size 3 x 3 metres in 20 years
Leaf icon
Foliage Variegated leaves with autumn colour (deciduous)
Position icon
Position Full sun to part shade

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Cornus controversa 'Variegata' wedding cake tree

Cornus controversa 'Variegata' Tree

Wedding Cake Tree

Choose Option 3 options
Product Details
Planting & Care
Delivery Information

Description

Cornus controversa 'Variegata', the Wedding cake tree, is aptly named as it forms tabulate spreading tiers of branches, much like the layers of a traditional wedding cake. Foliage is a beautiful mid green with broad creamy white margins turning shades of reddish purple in the autumn. Considered slightly more robust than the similar Cornus alternifolia 'Argentea', 'Variegata' also has larger, slightly less delicate looking foliage.

Creamy white clusters of flowers appear in May-June followed by blue/black fruit that create additional seasonal interest. Cornus controversa 'Variegata' makes a wonderful focal point and lightens the garden. Given a sunny position expect a height and spread of 3 x 3 meters in 20 years from this Flowering Dogwood.

AKA Wedding Cake tree, Table dogwood

Planting Steps

1Preparation

  • Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of year, whereas bare roots need to be planted between November and March.
  • Clear weeds and grass within a metre of the planting hole.
  • Dig a hole as deep as the root mass and twice as wide.
  • To help your plant establish more effectively, sprinkle Rootgrow in the hole.

2Planting

  • Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole.
  • Ensure the top of the plant's compost is flush with the level of the surrounding soil and the graft union or collar of the tree is above ground level.
  • Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost.
  • Fill in the hole, firming the soil gently.

3Last Steps

  • Water generously around the base of the plant.
  • If you are planting either a single stem tree or mature standard tree, we recommend adding a staking kit and rabbit guard.

Aftercare Advice

Trees and shrubs require a good watering regime for a couple of years whilst they establish. Water well and regularly through spring and summer, increasing in hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. It is advisable to keep the area free of competing weeds and grass during this period.

For more detailed advice and video guides, please visit our Help & Advice section.

MAINLAND UK — excluding remote locations
Small trees & shrubs*: £12 for 1 or more
Larger shrubs & mature Japanese Maples: £35 for 1 or more
Mature, Pleached, Hedging & Specialist Trees: £65 for 1 or more

REMOTE UK LOCATIONS — including Scottish Highlands & Islands
Small trees & shrubs*: £35 for 1 or more
Larger shrubs & mature Japanese Maples: £65 for 1 or more
Mature, Pleached, Hedging & Specialist Trees: £120 for 1 or more

*Small trees & shrubs are typically supplied in pots up to 15 litres.
Additional remote-location surcharges may apply.
Unfortunately, we are not able to make delivery of live plants to Northern Ireland or any countries outside of the UK.

Find out more

Product Details

Description

Cornus controversa 'Variegata', the Wedding cake tree, is aptly named as it forms tabulate spreading tiers of branches, much like the layers of a traditional wedding cake. Foliage is a beautiful mid green with broad...

Cornus controversa 'Variegata', the Wedding cake tree, is aptly named as it forms tabulate spreading tiers of branches, much like the layers of a traditional wedding cake. Foliage is a beautiful mid green with broad creamy white margins turning shades of reddish purple in the autumn. Considered slightly more robust than the similar Cornus alternifolia 'Argentea', 'Variegata' also has larger, slightly less delicate looking foliage.

Creamy white clusters of flowers appear in May-June followed by blue/black fruit that create additional seasonal interest. Cornus controversa 'Variegata' makes a wonderful focal point and lightens the garden. Given a sunny position expect a height and spread of 3 x 3 meters in 20 years from this Flowering Dogwood.

AKA Wedding Cake tree, Table dogwood

Planting & Care

Planting Steps

1Preparation

  • Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of year, whereas bare roots need to be planted between November and March.
  • Clear weeds and grass within a metre of the planting hole.
  • Dig a hole as deep as the root mass and twice as wide.
  • To help your plant establish more effectively, sprinkle Rootgrow in the hole.

2Planting

  • Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole.
  • Ensure the top of the plant's compost is flush with the level of the surrounding soil and the graft union or collar of the tree is above ground level.
  • Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost.
  • Fill in the hole, firming the soil gently.

3Last Steps

  • Water generously around the base of the plant.
  • If you are planting either a single stem tree or mature standard tree, we recommend adding a staking kit and rabbit guard.

Aftercare Advice

Trees and shrubs require a good watering regime for a couple of years whilst they establish. Water well and regularly through spring and summer, increasing in hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. It is advisable to keep the area free of competing weeds and grass during this period.

For more detailed advice and video guides, please visit our Help & Advice section.

Delivery Information

MAINLAND UK — excluding remote locations
Small trees & shrubs*: £12 for 1 or more
Larger shrubs & mature Japanese Maples: £35 for 1 or more
Mature, Pleached, Hedging & Specialist Trees: £65 for 1 or more

REMOTE UK LOCATIONS — including Scottish Highlands & Islands
Small trees & shrubs*: £35 for 1 or more
Larger shrubs & mature Japanese Maples: £65 for 1 or more
Mature, Pleached, Hedging & Specialist Trees: £120 for 1 or more

*Small trees & shrubs are typically supplied in pots up to 15 litres.
Additional remote-location surcharges may apply.
Unfortunately, we are not able to make delivery of live plants to Northern Ireland or any countries outside of the UK.

Find out more

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