Wedding Cake Tree Cornus controversa Variegata
Description & featuresSelect plant type
Bare root guideSize and quantity
All prices include VAT
All prices include VAT
All prices include VAT
All prices include VAT
Product description
CORNUS CONTROVERSA VARIEGATA – Wedding Cake Tree
Characteristics
Often called the ‘Wedding Cake Tree’ this is a very slow growing, strikingly variegated form of the Table Dogwood. It has long narrow leaves often twisted with uneven sides.
The wedding cake tree has the same layered form as its parent and holds the flower bunches on the ends of the horizontal branches like candles. This gives it the layer cake effect of its common name.
Where to grow
The wedding cake tree is best grown in a sunny spot or in partial shade, on well-drained, fertile soil.
Did you know?
Cornus controversa 'Variegata' was introduced in about 1880 by Veitch’s Nursery of Exeter.
Features
- Mature height
- Very Small up to 5 metres
- Spread
- 5-10 metres
- Shape / habit
- Shrub Multi-Stem
- Growth rate
- Very Slow
- Soil type
- Clay
- Chalk/Limestone
- Light sandy
- Sun levels
- Full sun
- Partial shade
- Difficulty / hard to grow
- Medium
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Deciduous
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn colour
- Yellow
- Leaf
- Green and Yellow (variegated)
- Foliage
- Small leaves
- Flower colour
- White
- Flowering month
- June
- Red
- Other
- Dislikes cold sites
- Uses
- Garden Tree
- Small garden Tree
- City/Urban Sites
- Flower Arranging
- Suitable for Containers
- Suitable for Patio
Features
- Mature height
- Very Small up to 5 metres
- Spread
- 5-10 metres
- Shape / habit
- Shrub Multi-Stem
- Growth rate
- Very Slow
- Soil type
- Clay
- Chalk/Limestone
- Light sandy
- Sun levels
- Full sun
- Partial shade
- Difficulty / hard to grow
- Medium
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Deciduous
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn colour
- Yellow
- Leaf
- Green and Yellow (variegated)
- Foliage
- Small leaves
- Flower colour
- White
- Flowering month
- June
- Red
- Other
- Dislikes cold sites
- Uses
- Garden Tree
- Small garden Tree
- City/Urban Sites
- Flower Arranging
- Suitable for Containers
- Suitable for Patio
Aftercare
Pruning Cornus controversa Variegata
Cornus controversa Variegata will naturally form a crown of iconic ‘wedding cake’ tiers, and so requires minimal pruning. Generally it does not respond well to hard pruning, so if new shoots develop that will disrupt the outline they are best removed before becoming established. If training as a standard, remove low laterals over a number of years, ideally leaving no more than a quarter as a clear stem.
What time of year should I prune? Cornus can be pruned from Autumn through to early Spring.
For the continued healthy growth of your trees, shrubs or hedging it is vital that you follow the advice below.
Watering
The main reason that plants die within 12 months of having been planted is lack of water. It is essential throughout the spring and summer, to give a heavy enough watering to enable the water to penetrate right down to the deepest root level of the tree. In hot dry spells give the equivalent of 2 bucketfuls every three days.
Weed Control
One of the most common causes of lack of water is competition from grass. When trees are first establishing, the grass roots would be at the same level as the tree roots and are far more efficient at taking up water and thus choke the tree. It is vital for 3 years after planting that your tree or hedge has a circle or strip one metre wide completely free of grass. The way to eliminate grass in order of effectiveness is:
- Spray off the grass with a glyphosate based weed killer such as Roundup. Apply each year for the first 3 years. It is best applied when the tree is dormant as it is absorbed through green leaves and kills the plant off at the roots.
- Firmly fit a mulch mat around the base of the tree by tucking the edges into the soil and put a thick layer of bark mulch on top of this. This can be done after the initial spraying with glyphosate and should avoid the need for further spraying.
Mowing or strimming is NOT an answer to the problem. Each time you mow, the grass will grow back more vigorously and strimming invariably leads to lacerated trunks.
Staking
If trees are not correctly secured they will rock in the planting pit. Roots not firmly in contact with the soil are unable to take up moisture and nutrients, resulting in die back or death of the tree. Check, particularly after windy weather, that stakes are still solidly in the ground keeping the base of the trunk firm. The purpose of the stakes is to anchor the roots. Flexing in the wind, higher up the trunk, is not necessarily a problem if the roots are firm.
Bellow is list of the correct system to use to secure your trees.
- 40/60, 60/80, 80/100 whips - Unless rabbit/deer problem no need to stake.
- 100/125, 125/150 1.2m Cane and Easi tie.
- 150/175 1.2m square stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
- 175/250, 6/8, 8/10 15L 1.65 Tree stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
- All larger trees. 2 x 1.65 Tree stake and cross rail with 38mm cushion spacer and 1m of 38mm strapping.
Ties
Always use our recommended tree ties or strapping. These are designed and manufactured with the correct amount of give to hold the tree firm without strangling it. They should be checked at the end of each growing season for adjustment as the trunk thickens. Non proprietary materials such as baler twine will cut into the bark and should not be used.
Protection from Animal Damage
Rabbits, deer, sheep, cattle and horses can all potentially damage trees. Ask us for advice on the most appropriate guards for your trees or hedge. Squirrels are also a terrible pest when trees get to about 20ft tall but there is no protection available.
By C Potter on 04/10/2019
I am needing to replace an old tree and would like a semi -mature Cornus. Contraversa variegata tree in its place. Would a 60 L pot one be manageable on a sack truck or would I need something mechanical to move it?
By Simon on 10/10/2019
Hello,
the 60l pots are still manageable without any mechanical help. Sack truck will do the job, or alternatively have two people do the maneuvering.
By Elizabeth on 25/05/2020
Can I plant cornus contraversa variegata close to my house? I am wanting a tree/large shrub for my front garden. Thank you.
By Simon on 27/05/2020
Hello Elizabeth.
The wedding cake tree grows better with a little bit of shelter, so the position may be good for it. Just keep in mind that as a mature tree they be about 6 or 7 metres wide, so don’t plant it too close to paths that you might want to access.