Photograph coming soon
Cornus controversa
Multi-stem Trees
Cornus controversa
Wedding cake tree
Tiered, horizontal branches stacked like the layers of a wedding cake, frothy white flowers in early summer and rich autumn colour. A true architectural tree.
Distinctive tiered, horizontal branches
Flat heads of white flowers in early summer
Rich purple-red autumn colour
Strong architectural presence
Please check before you visit. Our nursery is very well stocked, but what we hold changes with the seasons, so this plant may not always be in stock. Enquire before you head over and we will check availability and the sizes we have for you.
At a glance
Type
Multi-stem or feathered tree
Foliage
Deciduous
Seasons of interest
Early summer flowers, autumn colour, winter structure
Eventual size
Typically 6 to 10 m tall in time
Position
Full sun or partial shade
Soil
Moist but well-drained
Hardiness
Fully hardy in the UK
Available
A range of sizes and forms. Ask our team for current specimens and pricing.
Why we love it
The wedding cake tree is all about structure. Its branches grow in neat horizontal tiers, giving it a layered, sculptural silhouette.
In early summer the tiers are topped with flat white flowerheads, and in autumn the leaves turn rich shades of red and purple.
How to use it
Give it space as a lawn specimen or focal point where its tiered shape can be admired from all sides.
Planting and aftercare
Plant between autumn and spring and water through the first two summers. Avoid pruning, which can spoil the tiered habit.
See it in person
Every plant at Form is hand-selected, none contains new peat, and nothing beats choosing yours by eye. Visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey, just 30 minutes from London, where our team will show you the best of what is on the nursery right now. We deliver across London, Surrey and the Home Counties, and nationwide.
Walk in any time during opening hours and you will be looked after. If you would like dedicated time with a specialist, book a Genus Bar appointment.
Frequently asked questions
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Its branches grow in horizontal tiers, like the layers of a tiered wedding cake.
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Very little pruning is needed, and it is best avoided so the tiered shape develops naturally.
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We keep a very well-stocked nursery, but our stock changes with the seasons, so availability varies. Please email us before you visit and we will check what we have and the sizes available.
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Yes, and we would love you to. Every multi-stem tree is individual, with its own branch structure and character, so we always encourage customers to choose by eye. Our largest specimens are held at our Row Town showroom in Surrey. Walk in any time during opening hours, or book a Genus Bar appointment with one of our specialists. If you can’t visit, we are happy to send photographs of individual trees.
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Yes, we deliver nationwide. Deliveries are arranged by our dedicated in-house operations team, and larger specimens can be offloaded by HI-AB or Moffett where needed. We will always agree the most suitable option with you before delivery.
All our multi-stem trees
Explore every tree in our multi-stem trees collection, or view them all with photographs →
Cornus controversa
Can’t see what you’re looking for?
Get in touch and we’ll help you find it. Our nursery is very well stocked and we can source almost any plant through our network of trusted growers. Email info@formplants.com, or send us your whole plant list through our bespoke sourcing service.