Cornus controversa – Wedding Cake Tree (Green Foliage)

A medium-sized, deciduous tree  from China, Cornus controversa gets its name of wedding cake tree from its unusual tiered branches, which make it a stunning specimen in a lawn in the larger garden.  Elliptical, glossy, green leaves turn red and purple in autumn. In early summer, flat corymbs of tiny, white, starry flowers appear along the branches, followed by green berries which turn blue-black in autumn.  Young trees don’t have the tiered branches; the tree assumes the tiered form as it matures. Can also be grown as a multi-stemmed shrub.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soils: Well-drained neutral to acid soil
Position: Best in full sun
Season of interest: All year
Hardiness: Hardy
Height:  up to 50’ (15m)  Spread to  40’ (12m)