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variegated cornus

Variegated cornus are some of the most sought-after ornamental plants for New Zealand gardeners who want to add year-round interest, vibrant foliage, and architectural structure to their landscapes. Known for their striking colour contrast between creamy white, soft pink, or golden margins and lush green leaves, variegated cornus varieties are perfect for brightening up borders, creating eye-catching specimen plantings, or adding texture to woodland gardens. Their resilient growth, outstanding visual appeal, and ease of care help make variegated cornus a top choice among both novice and expert gardeners.

Cornus controversa variegata (Wedding Cake Tree) specimen in a large garden.

Cornus controversa variegata

Cornus controversa variegata, commonly referred to as the Wedding Cake Tree, features tiered branches that bear leaves that are variegated cream and green. The foliage retains this colouring until autumn, when yellow tones develop before the leaves fall. It typically grows to 6 m tall and 4 m wide and is usually trimmed to enhance the shape. Cornus controversa variegata makes an excellent specimen tree and is ideal for including in a mixed planting, using in avenue plantings, or planting to border an entranceway.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 6.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Cornus 'Eddies White Wonder' white flowers held on trailing stems.

Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder'

Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder' is a deciduous dogwood tree renowned for its impressive spring blossoms and vibrant autumn foliage. This hybrid cultivar, a cross between Cornus florida and Cornus nuttallii, features large, showy white flowers that appear in spring, followed by red berries in autumn. The tree grows with a narrow, upright form, reaching approximately 6 metres in height and 3 metres in width. Its dark green leaves turn striking shades of red before falling, adding seasonal interest to your garden.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 6.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Cornus 'Cherokee Chief' specimen tree with masses of pink flowers in late winter.
Cornus Cherokee Chief

Cornus 'Cherokee Chief' is a small, deciduous tree grown for its impressive flowering and attractive form. Masses of rose-red flowers are borne in...

From$270.40
Cornus 'Southern Cross' white flowers with lush, green foliage.
Cornus kousa 'Southern Cross'

Cornus kousa 'Southern Cross' features large and showy, white flowers which adorn the tree in spring and are followed by red berries in autumn. It...

From$340.69
Cornus 'Stokes Pink' elegant pink flowers.
Cornus 'Stokes Pink'

Cornus 'Stokes Pink' is a deciduous shrub grown for its colourful flowering in spring. At this time, masses of showy, two-tone pink flowers are borne...

From$270.40
Acorus gramineus variegata plants growing in pots with green and cream foliage.
Acorus gramineus variegatus

Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and...

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Cornus 'Spring Song' rose-pink flowers.
Cornus florida 'Spring Song'

Cornus florida 'Spring Song' is a deciduous shrub grown for its colourful flowering in spring. At this time, masses of showy, rose-pink flowers are...

From$340.69
Cornus 'Milky Way' specimen tree covered in masses of white flowers.
Cornus kousa 'Milky Way'

Cornus kousa 'Milky Way' features large and showy, white flowers that adorn the tree in spring and are followed by red berries in autumn. The glossy...

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A Cornus 'Cloud 9' specimen tree with masses of white flowers.
Cornus 'Cloud 9'

Cornus 'Cloud 9' produces masses of showy, single, white flowers through spring, which are followed by clusters of red fruit in autumn. The foliage...

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A small Cornus kousa 'China Girl' specimen tree with masses of white flowers against green foliage.
Cornus kousa 'China Girl'

Cornus kousa 'China Girl' is a small and popular, deciduous tree with large and showy, white flowers that adorn the tree in spring and are followed...

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Ctenanthe lubbersiana plant with yellow and green foliage.
Ctenanthe lubbersiana

Ctenanthe lubbersiana, commonly known as the Bamburanta Plant is a lush foliage plant that is commonly grown indoors as a potted plant. It features...

From$44.09
A Cornus controversa (Giant Dogwood) specimen tree.
Cornus controversa

Cornus controversa, commonly known as the Giant Dogwood, is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that features lush foliage that emerges mid-green in...

From$383.29
Cornus 'National' specimen tree with masses of cream-coloured flowers.
Cornus kousa National

Cornus kousa 'National' is a deciduous tree that features large and showy, cream white flowers in spring, which are followed by red berries in...

From$270.40
A Cornus kousa 'Satomi' specimen tree with masses of elegant pink flowers.
Cornus kousa 'Satomi'

Cornus kousa 'Satomi' is a small and popular, deciduous tree that features masses of large and showy, pink flowers in spring, which are followed by...

From$270.40
Cornus alba 'Sibirica' new spring foliage with white flowers.
Cornus alba 'Sibirica'

Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’, commonly known as Siberian Dogwood, is a striking deciduous shrub ideal for New Zealand gardens. It is prized for its vivid...

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Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea' plants with yellow stems.
Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea'

Cornus stolonifera Flaviramea, commonly known as the Yellow Stem Dogwood, is a shrub that features bright yellow stems which become more pronounced...

From$270.40
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum (Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum comosum Variegatum, commonly known as the Spider Plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush and variegated foliage. It...

From$20.01
Metrosideros kermadecensis 'variegata' red flowers and variegated foliage.
Metrosideros kermadecensis variegata (Variegated Pohutukawa)

Metrosideros kermadecensis 'Variegata' is a striking NZ native shrub or small tree admired for its glossy green leaves edged with creamy variegation...

From$30.29
schefflera-variegata-
Schefflera arboricola variegated

The variegated Schefflera (Schefflera arboricola Variegated) is an evergreen shrub commonly grown as a houseplant due to its attractive and...

From$19.95
peperomia-clusiifolia-
Peperomia clusiifolia

Peperomia clusiifolia, commonly known as the Jelly Plant, is a popular and easy to grow indoor plant. It produces short stems carrying thick and...

From$34.43
Senecio rowleyanus variegata (Variegated String of Pearls) with trailing foliage growing in a pot.
Senecio rowleyanus variegata

Senecio rowleyanus variegata, commonly known as the Variegated String of Pearls, is a succulent grown for its interesting, bead-like foliage. It...

From$26.15
agave-americana-variegata--1
Agave americana variegata

Agave americana variegata, commonly known as the Variegated Century Plant, is a large succulent that features broad, powder-blue leaves with yellow...

From$15.95
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$6.95
Cordyline australis albertii plants with variegated foliage.
Cordyline albertii

Cordyline albertii (Variegated Cabbage Tree) is a striking evergreen tree admired for its bold green leaves edged with creamy white variegation. This...

From$340.69
Liriope muscari 'Gold Banded' plants with colourful, variegated foliage and pink flowers.
Liriope 'Gold Banded' (Variegated Liriope)

Liriope 'Gold Banded' produces green leaves edged with gold, and masses of lavender coloured flowers in summer. This herbaceous perennial grows as a...

From$17.95
A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.
Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and...

From$19.95
Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' plants with variegated foliage and blue flowers.
Ajuga reptans variegata

Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' is a quick-growing, ground-covering plant that features colourful leaves that are variegated green and cream. In spring, it...

From$17.87
acer-ukigumo--1
Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo'

Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo' is a rare and highly ornamental Japanese Maple treasured for its striking white and pink variegated foliage. Often called the...

From$349.95
acer-palmatum-shirazz--3
Acer palmatum 'Shirazz'

Acer palmatum 'Shirazz' is a stunning variegated Japanese Maple admired for its rich purple red foliage edged with soft pink. The colourful leaves...

From$299.95
Hedera 'Silver Variegata' dark green and cream variegated foliage.
Hedera 'Silver Variegated'

Hedera ‘Silver Variegated’ is a striking evergreen ivy with silvery-green leaves edged in creamy white. Its elegant variegation brightens shaded...

From$14.95
Cornus 'Cherokee Daybreak' pink, green, and cream variegated foliage.
Cornus 'Cherokee Daybreak'

Cornus 'Cherokee Daybreak' is grown for its lovely flowering, attractive form, and colourful foliage. Leaves that are variegated green, cream, and...

OUT OF STOCK
Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' variegated foliage.
Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'

Cornus alba 'Elegantissima', commonly known as the Red-Twig Dogwood, is a deciduous shrub grown for its variegated foliage and colourful stems. The...

OUT OF STOCK
Cornus controversa variegata

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acorus, and Cornus, or related Categories - Grasses, Deciduous Shrubs, and Deciduous Trees.

Search variegated cornus

What Makes Variegated Cornus Special?

Variegated cornus varieties offer much more than impressive foliage. Many also feature showy spring flowers, distinctive berries that attract native birds, and coloured winter stems for off-season beauty. This versatility makes the variegated cornus family highly valued in modern planting designs. For example, the stately Cornus controversa variegata, known as the "Wedding Cake Tree", creates layered horizontal branches adorned with creamy-variegated leaves. It looks stunning as a feature tree or in a larger mixed border.

Another favourite is Cornus 'Cherokee Daybreak', a small specimen tree that thrives in sunny or partially shaded spots. With its cream-edged leaves and large, white spring flowers, this cornus is ideal for gardens where a striking but low-maintenance focal point is needed.

Popular Variegated Cornus Varieties

Several well-loved variegated cornus cultivars are perfectly suited to New Zealand gardens:

How to Grow and Care for Variegated Cornus

Most variegated cornus prefer moist, well-drained soils, and they’re happy in both full sun and dappled shade. Regular mulching and watering during dry spells will keep foliage looking its best, while a light prune in winter encourages bushier growth and intensifies colourful bark in stem varieties such as Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'.

Combining variegated cornus with textural contrasts like grasses or bamboos, such as Pleioblastus viridistriatus (Pleioblastus), enhances their beauty. Whether as a stand-alone feature or as part of a mixed planting scheme, these outstanding shrubs and trees bring long-lasting elegance to New Zealand gardens.

Where to Buy Variegated Cornus in New Zealand

Browse our range of premium variegated cornus, including Cornus 'Cherokee Daybreak', Cornus alba 'Elegantissima', Cornus florida 'Rainbow', and Cornus controversa variegata, to find the perfect addition for your landscape. Each variety is chosen for its performance and stunning appearance, ensuring your garden stands out in every season.


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