Introduction

Giant dogwood, a fast-growing deciduous tree that reaches 30 to 50 feet in height, eventually displays attractive horizontal branches clothed in large, 5- to 8-inch long leaves, dark green above and silver/green beneath, which turn a lovely red color in the fall. In the middle of springtime, the trees produce a multitude of flat, white clusters of bloom in dense cymes up to 5-inches across. These blooms are followed by showy, blue/black berries which are quite attractive to birds and other wildlife. The branching pattern is more upright in youth, spreading as it grows.

General Information

Scientific name: Cornus controversa

Pronunciation: KOR-nus kawn-troe-VER-suh

Common name(s): Giant dogwood

Family: Cornaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 5A through 8A (Fig. 2)

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Uses: deck or patio; shade; street without sidewalk; tree lawn 3–4 feet wide; tree lawn 4–6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide; specimen; shade

Availability: not native to North America

Description

Height: 30 to 50 feet

Spread: 25 to 35 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical

Crown shape: upright/erect, spreading

Crown density: moderate

Growth rate: fast

Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite (Fig. 3)

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: ovate

Leaf venation: pinnate, brachidodrome

Leaf type and persistence: deciduous

Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: red

Fall characteristic: showy

Flower

Flower color: white/cream/gray

Flower characteristics: showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: round

Fruit length: less than .5 inch

Fruit covering: fleshy

Fruit color: blue, black

Fruit characteristics: attracts birds; showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches droop; not showy; typically one trunk; thorns

Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: green

Current year twig thickness: medium

Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun, or partial shade

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; well-drained

Drought tolerance: moderate

Aerosol salt tolerance: unknown

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: no

Outstanding tree: no

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant

Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases

Use and Management

Giant dogwood should be grown in full sun for best flowering on moist, well-drained, acid soil. Used most often as a patio or medium-sized shade tree, giant dogwood has been planted as a street tree in some communities and may be considered more tolerant of urban soil than other dogwoods. It has been the fastest growing dogwood at the North Carolina State Arboretum.

The cultivar 'Variegata' has narrow, yellow-edged leaves but is rare in cultivation.

Propagation is by cuttings with ease or seeds with difficulty.

Pests

No pests are of major concern.

Diseases

Leaf spot, twig blight, or canker.