Giant dogwood (Cornus controversa) is a medium-sized deciduous tree that grows to 35 to 40 feet high (in the wild to 60 feet) in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 7. This Asian native (China and Japan) is cherished for its distinctive horizontal (tiered) branching habit.

Giant dogwood prefers an acidic, organically rich, moisture, well-drained soil. It succeeds in full sun to part shade, depending where you live. It thrives in cool climates such as the Northeast and Northwest U.S. regions. It languishes in the Southeast U.S. unless planted in a shady nook.

Small, creamy-white flowers appear in flattened 3-6 inches wide cymes (clusters) in late spring (May-June). The individual flowers are small and not bracted like flowering dogwood (C. florida). Giant dogwood is quite attractive in full bloom. Flowers give way to clusters of ½ inch bluish-black drupe fruits that mature in late summer. Scads of birds will inform you when they are ripe.

Leaf arrangement is uniquely alternate, sharing this trait with our native Pagoda dogwood (C. alternifolia). Dark green oval-shaped leaves are 3-6 inches long and light green beneath. Fall color varies region by region across the U.S., and hues are typically faded green to bland yellow. The cultivar ‘Variegata’ is a standout with dark green summer leaves edged with creamy white margins.

Giant dogwood is susceptible to a number of disease and pest problems. Location…location…location plays an important role here. Leaf spot, root rot, and stem canker may be severe in some years, often weather-induced. Scale, leaf miner and borers are occasional pest issues. Generally, deer do not favor dogwood leaves and twigs.

Perhaps, a final limitation is that growth buds tend to break too early in the spring and the new leaves get nipped by frost in northerly areas. Where climate and soils are favorable, this dogwood offers much year-round appeal.