Cornus Contraversa Variegata Growing in a Tub
After seven years, the Cornus Contraversa Variegata Growing in a tub in our front drive is taking on the tiered structure which it is famous for.
Cornus Contraversa Variegata in our garden
Growing in a tub, It’s doing pretty well, but I sometimes I wonder if it would have been wiser to have planted it in the soil. In Summer, it dries out rapidly.
Actually, I have not ruled out removing it from the tub. I would have to wait until it is dormant to break up the soil, leaving it bare rooted, it could then be planted in the front garden.
Plant profile
Cornus Contraversa Variegata (the wedding cake tree) an absolute eye turner planted in the small or large garden.
The layered branches with frothy while flowers sitting on top of the leaves resemble icing on the cake.
The tree is relatively slow growing, it can reach a height of three metres in twenty years or if you happen to plant it when you are thirty years old by the time you are 80 it will be seven metres tall.
Hardiness
This deciduous tree is fully hardy in the UK
Soil
Prefers a moist acidic soil but will tolerate neutral.
Position
Best in full sun
Leaves and flowers
This deciduous tree has variegated leaves, mid-green with a white/cream edge. The frothy white flowers appear in early Summer, followed with black fruits.
Height
Generally referred to as growing to about 7/8 m tall and a width of about 3 m.
Rate of growth
For three or four years the rate of growth is slow, thereafter becoming more moderate. Usually the layered effect becomes noticeable in the 6th year.
Growing in a pot
In spite of my pessimistic remarks at the beginning of this post, further research states the root habit of this tree is well suited for pot growing. Use ericaceous compost and when it is starting to mature after a few years it will need about two gallons of water every two or three days in Summer.
It’s wonderful to know your plant is flourishing in the tub! Your attention to its care is evident. Moving it to soil might be a good step, particularly if it tends to dry out quickly during the summer. Waiting until the plant enters dormancy before relocating it to the front garden seems like a prudent decision. Your thoughtful approach to its well-being is commendable. Thank you for sharing your plan!
It’s great to hear that your plant is thriving in the tub! You’ve clearly put a lot of thought into its care. Considering a move to soil could be beneficial, especially if it struggles with rapid drying in the summer. Waiting until the plant is dormant before transplanting it to the front garden sounds like a wise approach. Your careful planning and consideration for the plant’s needs are impressive. Thanks for sharing your thoughtful strategy!
It sounds like you have a wonderful garden, Fiona. Thank you for sharing the goings-on at your place. You will need some size of a tub for your Cornus, hope it does OK. Shame the Deer cause so much damage, as they would be great to watch.
Enjoy the rest of the Summer. Alistair
Looks great, Alistair! One of my favourite trees. I paid a lot of money 2 years ago for one that was about 7 feet high and 6ft across at its widest, with a very good layered structure for its size. We planted it at the same time as 7 other different decorative trees in our lawn, which is bordered by a narrow strip of woodland. We put some wire netting around the lower parts of the 4 narrower trees, but the other 4 trees were rather wide in shape we left those uncovered, as that would have looked obtrusive and unattractive in situ. With only the very occasional rabbit in the garden to nibble our plants, we assumed animal pests would never really be a problem.
The pale leaves of this lovely tree were opening abundantly and against a background of dark yew and holly it was a splendid sight – a lift to my spirits. As luck would have it, about 2 months after it was planted a small group of 4 roe deer took up residence in the woodland. First time any have done so in my 33 years here. Turns out this tree is right at the top of a deer’s favourite food list. 3 Michelin star fare! Within 2 days of arriving they had munched it to a fraction of its size and within the week it was about a foot high stump. Broken hearted, I moved the little “leftover” to the back of a flower border elsewhere, hoping it would not attract the deer’s attentions further and somehow survive. Eventually, after a season of eating most of my roses instead, the deer thankfully moved on to outdoor restaurants new. My small, nibbled specimen survives, although it is a sad reminder of what might have been a stunner!
After reading of yours in a pot I am going to put mine in a pot too and see if I can encourage it again in a better, brighter spot and closer to the house this time where I can keep an eye on it. Thanks for the article -your tree looks wonderful. I am sighing and smiling with pleasure as I look at it! Regards, Fiona
This tree is glorious! Thank you for your post.