Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’

Cornus controversa ‘variegata’ (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 8m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Cornaceae

Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ is a slow growing deciduous small tree or large shrub with a tiered, spreading habit. Its glossy mid green/ grey green/ cream leaves are elliptic with wavy entire margins, up to 13cm long and 9cm broad. Its leaves may turn yellow in autumn before they fall. Its bark is dark grey to yellow grey. Its branches form a distinctive tiered branch structure. Its fragrant white flowers are up to 8mm across, appear as cymes with red stems and are up to 14cm across. Its round fruit is a blue/ black berry and up to 7mm across.

Cornus controversa ‘variegata’ Leaf (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The species Cornus controversa, commonly known as Wedding Cake Tree or Giant Dogwood, is native to most of China and Japan. In its native habitat it grows in mixed forest.

The etymological root of the binomial Cornus is from the Latin cornum meaning ‘horn’ due to its dense properties. Controversa is derived from the Latin controversum meaning ‘controversial’.

The landscape architect may find Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ useful as a small attractive flowering tree.

Cornus controversa ‘variegata’ Bark (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its fruit are attractive to birds and some mammals.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It prefers a neutral to acid pH of soil.

Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture

Cornus officinalis

Cornus officinalis (08/02/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 10m

Eventual Spread: 10m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Cornaceae

Cornus officinalis is a large shrub or small tree that has an open, spreading habit. Its dark green leaves are ovate to elliptic with entire margins, up to 10cm long and 4.5cm broad. Its leaves may turn yellow/ red/ purple in autumn before they fall. Its bark is grey/ brown. Its yellow flowers are star shaped, up to 2cm across and appear in umbels before the plant comes into leaf. Its red fruit is an ellipsoid drupe, up to 18mm long, 7mm across and are produced in autumn.

Cornus officinalis Flower Buds (08/02/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Cornus officinalis, commonly known as the Cornelian Cherry, Japanese Cornelian Cherry or Japanese Cornel, is native to Korea, Japan and China. In its native habitat it grows in deciduous woodlands.

The etymological root of the binomial name Cornus is derived from the Latin cornus meaning ‘horn’, due to its dense properties and was originally the old name for this plant. Officinalis is from the Latin meaning ‘of the shop’.

The landscape architect may find Cornus officinalis useful as an attractive spring flowering large shrub or small tree which also has attractive autumn colour.

Ecologically, Cornus officinalis berries are eaten by some mammals and many birds. The leaves provide food for some moths and caterpillars. The flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Cornus officinalis Bark (08/02/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Cornus officinalis ‘Kintoki’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.

Cornus officinalis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, including very alkali soils.

Cornus officinalis requires little maintenance. Pruning should be carried out during the winter months.

Cornus controversa

Cornus controversa (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 15m

Eventual Spread: 15m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Cornaceae

Cornus controversa in Flower (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Cornus controversa is a deciduous small tree with a tiered, spreading habit. Its glossy mid green leaves are elliptic with wavy entire margins, up to 13cm long and 9cm broad. Its leaves may turn purple in autumn before they fall. Its bark is dark grey to yellow grey. Its branches form a distinctive tiered branch structure. Its fragrant white flowers are up to 8mm across, appear as cymes with red stems and are up to 14cm across. Its round fruit is a blue/ black berry and up to 7mm across.

Cornus controversa Flower (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Cornus controversa, commonly known as Wedding Cake Tree or Giant Dogwood, is native to most of China and Japan. In its native habitat it grows in mixed forest.

Cornus controversa Flower Stalks (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial Cornus is from the Latin cornum meaning ‘horn’ due to its dense properties. Controversa is derived from the Latin controversum meaning ‘controversial’.

The landscape architect may find  Cornus controversa useful as a small attractive flowering tree.

Cornus controversa Leaf (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Cornus controversa flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its fruit are attractive to birds and some mammals.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Cornus controversa Bark (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Cornus controversa prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It prefers a neutral to acid pH of soil.

Cornus controversa requires little maintenance.