This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It’s perfect for growing as a specimen shrub in a mixed border, where it provides year-round. In early summer it bears clusters of small white flowers, followed by blue-black fruit. Its foliage is bright green with bold, creamy-white margins, turning yellow in autumn. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ is a rounded tree with tiered branches.
This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. Variegated Cornelian Cherry Dogwood will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. Variegated Cornelian Cherry Dogwood is recommended for the following landscape applications It has no significant negative characteristics. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. Variegated Cornelian Cherry Dogwood is a multi-stemmed deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. The peeling brown bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape. It produces red berries from early to mid summer. The pointy leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall color. It has attractive white-variegated dark green foliage. Variegated Cornelian Cherry Dogwood has clusters of yellow flowers along the branches from late winter to early spring before the leaves.
An excellent small tree for use as a specimen or color accent features white-variegated foliage, bright yellow flowers in very early spring before the leaves and red berries in summer, compact habit of growth, but some suckering