Cornus controversa
Giant Dogwood






Picturesque, horizontal, sweeping branches in layered tiers. Glossy, dark-green leaves are glaucous beneath. They glow rich purple-red in autumn and this colour persists well into winter. Cream-white flowers sit atop the branches in late-spring to early-summer. Blue-purple to black fruit follow in late-summer to autumn which birds relish.
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10 Year Size
Family: Cornaceae, a family of flowering trees, shrubs, and herbs native to northern temperate regions and tropical Asia. Learn more about Cornaceae.
Genus: Cornus, cornus (Latin, noun), meaning 'dogwood', originally referring to Cornus mas. The generic name could also be derived from the Latin noun cornūs (horn, power, strength), in reference to the high strength, density, and hardness of the wood of species in this genus. Commonly known as dogwood, a genus of flowering plants that are native throughout much of temperate and boreal Eurasia and North America, with China, Japan, and the southeastern United States being particularly rich in native species. Learn more about Cornus.
Species: Cornus controversa, contrōversa (Latin, adjective), meaning 'controversial, disputed', in reference to the confusion that occurred when botanists tried to formally name this species. You can read further about the naming controversy in this article by Mark McNee. Learn more about Cornus controversa.
Common Name: Giant Dogwood
Other Common Name(s): Wedding Cake Tree