Cornus controversa 'Variegata'
wedding cake tree
- Position: full sun to part shade
- Soil: deep, fertile, moisture-retentive soil
- Rate of growth: slow-growing to average
- Flowering period: June
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Known as the wedding-cake tree, because of its distinctive, horizontal, tiered habit, this tree makes a lovely focal point for a small to medium-sized garden. It has bright green leaves with bold, creamy-white margins, which turn red-purple in autumn and produces clusters of white flowers in June. 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.
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Q:
how tall is the wedding cake tree if its supplied in a three litre potAsked on 4/11/2013 by earthmom1 answer
A:
Hello,
These do vary a little, but on average they will be around 30cm tall in a 3-litre pot.Answered on 4/11/2013 by Helen from Crocus
Q:
Given tree for present in pot can I leave it in this outside for a week or two in this weather bit snowy and little frost at night...Asked on 3/14/2013 by Ann from Nairn1 answer
A:
Hello,
This plant is fully hardy, so it should be left outside throughout the year. I would also advise either planting it out into the border or potting it on as soon as you can.Answered on 3/14/2013 by Helen from Crocus
Q:
Hello. I have bought a cornus controversa variagatea, and as I moved the last one too many times was thinking it might be better off in a nice tub, will it be happy as I love the layered look and don't have much space in the garden? Also shall I put it into Jon
Hn Inness no 3 or would that be too heavy? Many thanks for your help.sueAsked on 2/17/2013 by Plantaholic. But VERY picky! from South Hampshire, on the coast.1 answer
A:
Hello,
These get pretty big eventually, so ultimately it will struggle in a pot unless you can find a really big one. For the first few years however you should not have any problem, provided you make sure it is kept well fed and watered. As for the compost, I think John Innes No3 would be ideal.
I hope this helps,Answered on 2/18/2013 by Anonymous
Q:
Specimen Ceanothus or another large bushy shrub....
Good afternoon, When I was first looking for a Ceanothus to replace the one we have in our front garden, I looked on your website, but you only had small ones. Our once lovely Ceanothus has been pruned out of all recognition again this year, as I planted it a bit too near our boundary when it was a baby. I know it may come back, but it is getting ridiculous as every time it grows back it has to be cut back again severely and then ooks a mess for most of the year. Have you got a nice, tall, bushy Ceanothus to replace it? I love my Ceanothus but perhaps if you don't have a big one, do you have another large, flowering shrub as an alternative? Hope you can help Regards MargaretAsked on 12/5/2009 by D DRAKETT1 answer
A:
Hello Margaret, it is rare to find larger sized Ceanothus as they are usually quite short-lived and don't normally live longer than 6 - 8 years. We do have a selection of larger shrubs on our site like Hamamelis, Hydrangeas, Magnolias, Acer, Cornus, Cotinus, Philadelphus, Syringa and Viburnum, so you may find something of interest. They will be listed in this section. http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/ I hope this helps. Helen Plant DoctorAnswered on 12/8/2009 by Crocus Helpdesk
Q:
Cornus controversa "Variegata"
Hello, Could you please clarify the height of this tree. On your site it is registered as an 8m x 8m while anywhere else and indeed in the latest issue of "The English Garden" magazine it is listed as a small tree reaching a maximum of 3 meters. The difference in the stated height will decide on whether to have one or not - I have a very small garden. Thank you, Regards, TheodoraAsked on 7/19/2009 by Theodora Mavromatakis1 answer
A:
Hello There, I have double checked with the RHS and their information states that it will grow to 8 x 8m. I hope this helps. Helen Plant DoctorAnswered on 7/20/2009 by Crocus Helpdesk
Q:
Cornus controversa 'Variegata'
I have an interest in buying a Cornus controversa 'Variegata'. Can you supply one with a minimum height 1.5 metres excluding container or root ball ?. Regards TerryAsked on 7/17/2009 by Terry or Jenny1 answer
A:
Hello Terry, I'm afraid we only sell one size and this will come in a 3lt pot and will be around 30-45cm tall.Answered on 7/17/2009 by Crocus Helpdesk
Q:
Can I prune my dogwood now?
I have a small Cornus florida that was planted in the Autumn. It is bushier than I would like as I want a tree rather than shrub. Its starting to bud now and I probably should have pruned it in the winter, but is it too late now?Asked on 3/17/2005 by Richard Stanaro1 answer
A:
Ideally you should prune this Cornus in late winter or early spring. However you may still get away with it if you do it very soon. Just cut back the branches you don't want by pruning to an outward facing bud.Answered on 3/21/2005 by Crocus
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