The Wedding Cake Tree: Deciduous Delight Or Evergreen Extravaganza?

The Wedding Cake Tree, also known as the Giant Dogwood, is a small deciduous tree with a graceful and spectacular appearance. Its botanical name is Cornus Controversa 'Variegata'. The tree's most distinctive feature is its tiered branch structure, which gives it a unique, layered look, resembling a wedding cake. This horizontal layering of branches also provides shade in the summer.

The wedding cake tree is a small deciduous tree with layered branches

The wedding cake tree, also known as the Cornus controversa 'Variegata', is a small deciduous tree with gracefully layered horizontal branches. This unique tree is a beautiful addition to any small to medium-sized garden, providing shade and visual interest. Standing at around 6 to 12 metres tall, it is a slow-growing tree that can be the perfect specimen to showcase.

The wedding cake tree's layered branches create a stunning tiered effect, resembling the layers of a wedding cake, hence its name. The branches are adorned with vibrant, creamy-white variegated leaves, which provide a beautiful contrast to the red stems. In late spring, these leaves are joined by small, creamy white flowers that appear in flattened clusters, creating a breathtaking floral display. As the season progresses, these blossoms give way to black berries, which are a favourite food source for birds and other wildlife.

The wedding cake tree thrives in full sun and partial shade, with slightly acidic, well-drained soil that retains some moisture. It is a hardy tree that can tolerate cool climates and short periods of dryness, making it suitable for a range of environments. However, it is important to ensure that it is protected from strong winds, which could damage its delicate branches.

As autumn approaches, the wedding cake tree puts on another dazzling display as its leaves turn from green to vibrant shades of yellow, red, and red-purple before gracefully falling to the ground. This tree is a true spectacle throughout the seasons, offering a unique and elegant focal point for any garden or landscape.

Overall, the wedding cake tree, with its layered branches and deciduous nature, is a graceful and eye-catching addition to any garden, providing beauty and interest throughout the year.

Its botanical name is Cornus Controversa 'Variegata'

Cornus Controversa Variegata, commonly known as the Wedding Cake Tree, is a small, slow-growing, broadleaf deciduous tree. It is a native of Asia and can be planted in United States Department of Agriculture zones 5 through 8. It is graceful and spectacular, 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, providing an impressive floral display. The blossoms give way to black or bluish-black berries in late summer, which are a favourite food of birds, squirrels and other animals. In summer, the tree's canopy of layered branches provides shade, and in the fall, its leaves turn a rich red or a lovely yellow before they fall. The Wedding Cake Tree grows to a height of 25 to 40 feet (or 7.6 to 12.2 metres) and is a wonderful focal point for a small to medium-sized garden.

Cornus Controversa Variegata performs best in full sun or part shade in acidic, organically rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soils. It is resistant to Verticillium wilt but may be susceptible to canker diseases and root rot. It is also resistant to many pests but may occasionally have issues with dogwood borers and scale. It is a very easy tree to care for and is worth the effort for its many seasons of interest.

Young Wedding Cake Trees should be staked for straight, strong growth, and provided with water weekly for the first few months. Thereafter, moisture should be supplemented in very dry periods and during the summer with a deep drench every couple of weeks. This tree adapts to various soil conditions and will grow well in clay or loam, as long as the soil is slightly moist but not waterlogged. It requires enough space to accommodate its adult height and spread.

It is a native of Asia and can be planted in USDA zones 5-8

The Wedding Cake Tree, or Cornus Controversa 'Variegata', is a native plant of Asia. It is a beautiful, slow-growing deciduous tree that can be planted in USDA zones 5 through 8.

The Wedding Cake Tree is a small tree, growing to a height of 20-25 feet (6 to 7.5 metres) and a spread of 10-15 feet (3 to 4.5 metres). It is commonly planted as a specimen tree and is ideal for small to medium-sized gardens. The tree has a distinctive, tiered branch structure, with horizontal branches that give the appearance of layering. The branches bear variegated, cream and green leaves with bright creamy margins. In late spring, the tree produces a brilliant display of small, creamy white flowers, which are actually bracts or modified leaves. These flowers develop into bluish-black berries, a favourite food source for birds, squirrels and other animals.

The Wedding Cake Tree does well in slightly acidic, organically rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soil. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It is a hardy tree, resistant to many pests, although it may occasionally be affected by dogwood borers and scale. It is susceptible to canker diseases and root rot, so care should be taken to prevent these issues.

Overall, the Wedding Cake Tree is a stunning addition to any garden, with its elegant, layered branches and variegated foliage. It is easy to grow and care for, making it a popular choice for gardeners.

It grows to a height of 25-40 feet and a width of 10-12 feet

The Wedding Cake Tree, or Cornus Controversa 'Variegata', is a small deciduous tree that grows to a height of 25-40 feet and a width of 10-12 feet. This graceful and spectacular tree is a beautiful addition to any small to medium-sized garden, where it can be a stunning focal point. Its layered horizontal branches create a tiered effect, resembling a wedding cake, which is how the tree gets its name. The branches provide shade in the summer and a lovely yellow colour in the fall before the leaves are shed.

The Wedding Cake Tree is a native of Asia and can be planted in United States Department of Agriculture zones 5 through 8. It is easy to grow and quite hardy, as long as it is kept moist. The tree performs best in full sun or partial shade and prefers slightly acidic, organically rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soil. It can be planted in either clay or loam but should be kept slightly moist to ensure healthy growth.

The Wedding Cake Tree has red stems and ovate green leaves with bright creamy margins. In late spring, it produces small, creamy-white flowers in flattened clusters, which give way to black berries in late summer. These berries are a favourite food source for birds, squirrels, and other animals. The tree is susceptible to a range of pests and diseases, so proper care is necessary to ensure its health.

Overall, the Wedding Cake Tree is a beautiful and elegant addition to any garden, providing shade and beauty in the summer and a stunning display of colour in the fall. With its unique tiered branches and vibrant foliage, it is sure to be a conversation starter and a beloved feature of any outdoor space.

It is easy to grow and has a low susceptibility to pests and diseases

The Wedding Cake Tree (Cornus controversa 'Variegata') is a small deciduous tree known for its beautifully layered horizontal branches. It is native to Asia and can be grown in United States Department of Agriculture zones 5 through 8. These trees are easy to grow and have a low susceptibility to pests and diseases.

Wedding Cake Trees can grow up to 50 feet (15 m) tall, but their height typically ranges from 25 to 30 feet (8-9 m). They perform best in slightly acidic, organically rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soils. They thrive in full sun or partial shade and prefer a sheltered site. While they can tolerate some drought, it is important to keep them moist, especially during the establishment phase for young plants.

These trees are resistant to many pests, but may occasionally be affected by dogwood borers and scale. They are also resistant to Verticillium but may be susceptible to canker diseases and root rot. Overall, the Wedding Cake Tree is a hardy and low-maintenance addition to any garden, requiring minimal care once established.

In terms of care and maintenance, it is recommended to stake the young tree to encourage straight and strong growth. Providing weekly water for the first few months is essential, and moisture should be supplemented during dry periods and in summer with deep watering every couple of weeks. Pruning may be necessary to enhance the shape of the tree, particularly if it has multiple stems or an irregular shape when young.

With its graceful appearance and low maintenance requirements, the Wedding Cake Tree is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a stunning focal point for their small to medium-sized gardens.

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