Deborah Chan
The Wedding Cake Tree, also known as the Cornus Controversa 'Variegata', is a small, slow-growing tree that can be planted in any size garden. Its name comes from its distinctive horizontal, tiered branches, which resemble the layers of a traditional wedding cake. The tree has bright green leaves with creamy white margins, which turn red-purple in autumn, and produces clusters of white flowers in May or June. The flowers are followed by blue-black berries that attract birds. The Wedding Cake Tree is a great focal point for a garden and can grow up to 15 metres in height.
What You'll Learn
The Wedding Cake Tree is a small, slow-growing, graceful tree
The Wedding Cake Tree, also known as Cornus Controversa 'Variegata', is a small, slow-growing, graceful tree. It is a great addition to any garden, especially small to medium-sized ones, where it can act as a focal point. The tree has a distinctive, tiered, horizontal branching structure, resembling the layers of a traditional wedding cake. Its branches are adorned with ovate green leaves with creamy margins, which turn red-purple in autumn.
In spring, the Wedding Cake Tree's leaves open bright green with a cream border. In late spring to early summer, it produces flattened clusters of small, creamy-white flowers, which attract insects for pollination. These blossoms give way to black berries in late summer, which are a food source for birds. The tree's canopy of layered branches provides shade and beauty in the summer, and its leaves turn a lovely yellow colour before they fall in autumn.
The Wedding Cake Tree grows up to 35-40 ft. high and across and performs best in full sun or partial shade. It prefers acidic, organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. It is susceptible to a range of pests and diseases, so care should be taken to maintain its health.
The tree requires minimal pruning, as this would interfere with its graceful, tiered structure. Instead, only remove any damaged or diseased branches as needed. The Wedding Cake Tree is a deciduous shrub, so it will lose all its leaves in autumn before producing fresh new foliage in spring.
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It has horizontal, tiered branches, resembling a traditional wedding cake
The Wedding Cake Tree (Cornus Controversa Variegata) is a small, slow-growing tree that can be planted in any size garden. Its branches grow in horizontal layers, resembling a traditional wedding cake. The tree's canopy is formed by these layered branches, which provide shade in the summer. The Wedding Cake Tree is also known as the Giant Dogwood or Variegated Giant Dogwood.
The tree's branches are red, and its ovate green leaves have a bright creamy margin. In late spring, small, creamy-white flowers appear in flattened clusters, providing an impressive floral display. These blossoms are followed by black berries in late summer, which persist into fall unless eaten by birds.
The Wedding Cake Tree's foliage is a beautiful mid-green with broad creamy-white margins, turning shades of reddish-purple in autumn. It is considered slightly more robust than the Cornus alternifolia 'Argentea', with larger, slightly less delicate-looking foliage.
The Wedding Cake Tree makes a wonderful focal point for a small to medium-sized garden. It is best positioned in full sun, sheltered from cold winds, and likes moisture-retentive soil. The tree requires little pruning as this would interfere with its graceful, tiered look.
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It produces clusters of white flowers in late spring/early summer
The Wedding Cake Tree, or Cornus Controversa Variegata, is a small, slow-growing tree that can be planted in any size garden. In late spring to early summer, the tree produces clusters of small, creamy-white flowers. These blossoms appear flattened, providing a great floral display. The flowers are star-shaped and have a scent that attracts insects for pollination. The flowers then give way to black berries in late summer, which will be eaten by birds if left on the tree.
The Wedding Cake Tree is aptly named, as its tabulate spreading tiers of branches resemble the layers of a traditional wedding cake. The tree's foliage is a beautiful mid-green with broad creamy-white margins, turning shades of reddish-purple in autumn. The tree's overall height and spread will be around 3 x 3 meters in 20 years.
The tree requires full sun to part shade and well-drained, moderately fertile, moist soil. While it can tolerate dappled shade, it performs best in full sun. The Wedding Cake Tree should be watered well and regularly, especially during its first spring and summer, and in periods of hot or dry weather. Avoid over-watering, as the tree does not like wet soil.
The Wedding Cake Tree is a great choice for a specimen or focal point in a garden or parkland. Its distinctive, horizontal, tiered branches provide shade and beauty, making it a graceful and spectacular addition to any outdoor space.
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The tree's foliage turns red/purple in autumn
The Wedding Cake Tree, also known as the Cornus Controversa 'Variegata', is a small, slow-growing tree that makes a beautiful focal point for a small to medium-sized garden. Its distinctive, horizontal, tiered branches give it a graceful, elegant appearance, resembling the layers of a traditional wedding cake.
In autumn, the tree's foliage turns red/purple, creating a stunning display of colour. This colourful foliage, combined with the tree's unique branching structure, makes it a standout feature in any garden or parkland, even after its leaves have fallen.
The tree's scientific name, Cornus Controversa 'Variegata', reflects the striking variegation of its foliage. In spring, the leaves emerge with bright green centres and broad, creamy white margins. As the season progresses, these margins develop a reddish-purple hue, adding depth and interest to the tree's appearance.
The Wedding Cake Tree is a deciduous tree, which means it loses all its leaves in autumn. This process reveals the tree's interesting tiered structure, which remains visually appealing even without its foliage. The tree's ability to provide aesthetic value throughout the year makes it a popular choice for gardens and landscapes.
The Wedding Cake Tree is native to China and Japan and has been grown in the UK since the late 19th century. It typically grows to a height of 8-10 metres, although some specimens can reach up to 15 metres. While it tolerates dappled shade, the tree thrives in full sun and neutral, moisture-retentive soil.
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It is a great choice for a small to medium-sized garden
The Wedding Cake Tree, or Cornus Controversa 'Variegata', is a small, slow-growing tree that can reach heights of up to 15 metres. Its distinctive tiered appearance and graceful, horizontal branches make it a great choice for a small to medium-sized garden. The tree's layered branches create a beautiful focal point, especially when adorned with clusters of white flowers in late spring to early summer.
The Wedding Cake Tree is a deciduous shrub, meaning it will lose all its leaves in autumn, with fresh new foliage appearing in spring. The leaves open bright green with a broad, creamy white border, turning shades of reddish-purple in autumn. The tree also produces blue-black berries, a great food source for birds, and its canopy of layered branches provides welcome shade in the summer.
Although the Wedding Cake Tree tolerates dappled shade, it performs best in full sun and fertile, moisture-retentive soil. It is important not to prune this tree, as it would interfere with its graceful, tiered shape. With a height and spread of 3 x 3 metres in 20 years, the Wedding Cake Tree is an excellent choice for a small to medium-sized garden, providing year-round interest and beauty.
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding cake tree, or Cornus Controversa 'Variegata', is a small, slow-growing, graceful tree that can be planted in any size garden. Its branches grow in horizontal layers, resembling the tiers of a traditional wedding cake.
The wedding cake tree has bright green leaves with broad, creamy white margins that turn reddish-purple in autumn. In late spring, small, creamy white flowers appear in flattened clusters, followed by black berries in late summer.
The wedding cake tree requires no regular pruning as this would interfere with its graceful, tiered shape. It is best planted in fertile, moisture-retentive soil in full sun, although it can tolerate dappled shade.
