Cornus controversa, commonly known as Wedding Cake Tree, is a deciduous tree native to woodlands and forest margins in East Asia, including Japan, Korea, and China. It can grow up to 50 feet (15 meters) tall and is known for its distinctive horizontal, tiered branching pattern, which gives it a layered appearance reminiscent of a wedding cake. The leaves are ovate, dark green, 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) long, with a glaucous underside, and they turn a striking red-purple in autumn, adding seasonal interest. In late spring to early summer, it produces showy, flat-topped clusters (cymes) of small, creamy-white flowers, each 3–7 inches (8–18 cm) wide, which are highly attractive to pollinators. These are followed by small, globose black fruit (drupes), which are about 1/2 inch (13 mm) in diameter and provide food for birds.

The Wedding Cake Tree is valued for its unique form, beautiful flowers, and vibrant fall foliage. It is often used as a focal point in gardens and parks, and due to its tiered habit, it can also serve as an effective screen. This tree prefers full sun to part shade and adapts to a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained. While it requires medium amounts of water, established trees are relatively drought-tolerant. It is generally free from serious pests and diseases, but it can be susceptible to leaf spot and canker. Gardeners should be aware that it may require some space to accommodate its spread and should be planted where its full architectural beauty can be appreciated.CC BY-SA 4.0