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CORNUS controversa
Commonly known as Giant dogwood, Wedding cake tree
FLOWERING DOGWOODS
Cream flowers, black fruits and rich purple-red autumn colour
Further Reading....
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Deciduousleaves to 15cm (6in) long are dark-green above, glaucous beneath and turn rich red to purple in autumn.
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Cream
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Height15m (49ft)
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Spread15m (49ft)
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TreeRounded tree with tiered branches. Creamy-white flowers are produced in large, flattish heads to 18cm (7in) across followed by blue-black fruit.
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Hardy - cold winterHardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters. May not withstand open/exposed sites or central/northern locations. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F)
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Full sunshelter from cold winds
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Partial shade
CORNUS controversa
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Additional FeaturesPests & DiseasesAnthracnosePlace of originChina, Himalayas, Japan.
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HardinessFully hardy
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Leaf marginEntire
(see photos above) -
Leaf shapeElliptic
(see photos above) -
Pruning groupPruning group 1Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.
RHS group 1 -
Seasonal InterestAutumnSpringSummer
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Soil ConditionsFertile well drained soilHumus richNeutral to acid soil
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Tree ShapeRounded to broadly spreading
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Cornus (Flowering) - Growing Guide
- Positioning
- Planting
- Maintenance - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Propagation
- Cornus capitata seed collection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Diseases
- Cornus capitata - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Cornus kousa 'Satomi' - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Cornus kousa ‘Doubloon’ - Video Tip ondemand_video
Cornus Coloured Stemmed Dogswoods - Growing Guide
Trees - Care Guide
- How to plant a tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- How to plant a tree
- Ties - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Restaking fallen young trees - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Fallen old tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Clearing up fallen beech tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Spring pruning - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing side shoots - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Pruning and Shaping Magnolia - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Deer protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Weed Spraying - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing Ivy - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing wire protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Tree Survey - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Crown uplift - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing shoots below graft - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing peeling bark - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Maintaining variegation - Video Tip ondemand_video
15m (49ft)
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15m (49ft) |
Buy Varieties of CORNUS controversa
FLOWERING DOGWOODS

CORNUS controversa 'Gosia'
Giant dogwood, Wedding cake tree
tiered branches and leaves variegated yellow tinged with pink


CORNUS controversa 'Variegata'
Giant dogwood, Wedding cake tree
striking and very scarce slow growing variegated form with horizontal branching
Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50

Garden Goodies
Slate Plant Labels
These wonderfully tactile natural slate plant labels are hand made in Cornwall and come with a chalk pen.
Just stick them in your pot or border. Pack of 6.
Only £10.20

Garden Goodies
Slate Tie-on Plant Labels
Hand made in Cornwall, these delightful natural slate labels are perfect for pots.
Comes with chalk pen. Pack of 5
Only £10.20