Cornus controversa Gold Star - Giant Dogwood

The Cornus controversa Gold Star is a variety of Pagoda Dogwood that is irresistible for its very bright variegated foliage. This beautiful bush has a moderate growth habit and forms very aesthetic layers of vegetation, with green leaves that are mostly margined with yellow. In late spring, the bush is adorned with flattened white inflorescences, followed by decorative blue-black fruits in August. Deciduous, it loses its foliage at the beginning of winter, allowing for the admiration of its characteristic branches.

The Dogwood belongs to the small family of Cornaceae, which, after several changes in botanical classification, now only includes the genera Cornus and Alangium. There are several dozen species of Dogwood, most of which are shrubs, but some, like Cornus nuttallii or Cornus kousa, form small trees. This is also the case with Cornus controversa, native to China, Korea, and Japan, where it can reach heights of up to 12m. It has a straight trunk and a vegetation that forms horizontal layers, evoking the distinctive architecture of pagodas in the Far East, which is where it gets its common name from.
Gold Star is a horticultural variety that is easy to recognise by its variegated foliage. In spring, the young leaves are a medium green with yellow margins, which brightens up the bush, especially if it is planted in partial shade, a situation it prefers. This yellow variegation is irregular from one leaf to another, and can cover up to half of the leaf surface in some cases. The variegation is particularly yellow on young shoots at the end of branches, but slightly less vibrant on older leaves. The oval, acuminate leaves (with a sharply tapered point) measure from 7 to 12 cm long and are carried by flexible petioles.
Spontaneously, the bush produces branches that grow almost horizontally, slightly upward, and with age, they give the plant a pagoda-like silhouette that is characteristic of the species and highly sought after by enthusiasts. After 10 years of planting, this Dogwood will reach a height of 2 to 2.40m and, at maturity, 4m in height and 3m in spread. In May-June, small cream-white flowers, grouped in 10cm diameter cymes, develop above the foliage, creating a pleasant scene in the garden. They then evolve into small spherical fruits, initially green, which turn blue-black from August onwards, adding new ornamental interest to the plant.
In autumn, the foliage takes on pleasant warm colours before falling to the ground and revealing the layered architecture of the bush.

This variegated Pagoda Dogwood will be perfectly suited to a shaded area of the garden, where it will illuminate with its bright foliage. Combine it with other plants with foliage and add some flowering plants, as well as plants with decorative bark, to create an attractive scene all year round. The classic but essential purple/variegated contrast is always spectacular. The Weigela florida Alexandra, with its almost black leaves, will be perfect for this composition and will also offer a beautiful flowering of deep pink bells at the same time as the Dogwood. To extend the flowering period from August to October, plant the superb Hydrangea paniculata Bobo, a compact Hydrangea whose ball-shaped vegetation completely disappears under the panicles of white flowers in summer. And to bring colour to the winter, go for the Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) with its elegantly peeling copper-coloured bark that catches everyone's eye in the off-season, not to mention the stunning red foliage in autumn. Another beauty among the Maples is the Acer conspicuum Red Flamingo, which offers foliage harmoniously blending green, cream-white, and pink. The trunk bark is "snake skin" type, green with purplish veins, while the young branches display an incredible coral red. Make sure to interpose a green-leaved shrub between this Maple and your Dogwood to fully enjoy their respective adornments without visual competition!