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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 'Cherokee Princess' covered in masses of white flowers.

Cornus 'Cherokee Princess'

Cornus 'Cherokee Princess' is grown for its lovely flowering, attractive form, and colourful foliage. Leaves emerge light green in spring, age to become darker green, then develop impressive red tones in autumn before falling. The foliage is complemented with masses of showy, white flowers in spring, which coat the tree as it grows to 4 m tall and the same wide. Cornus 'Cherokee Princess' makes for an excellent specimen tree and is great for including in a mixed planting, growing as a specimen, using in an avenue planting, or planting to border an entrance.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 4.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

From$20.18
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...

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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...

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Cornus 'Elizabeth Lustgarten' specimen tree with masses of white flowers.
Cornus 'Elizabeth Lustgarten'

Cornus 'Elizabeth Lustgarten' features large and showy, white flowers during spring and summer, which are followed by red berries in autumn. It grows...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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$19.58
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$28.28
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$87.68
tiarella-neon-lights-
Tiarella Neon Lights

Tiarella Neon Lights is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It grows as a clump, producing large leaves that are...

From$24.23
ulmus-carpinifolia-variegata-4
Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata (Field Elm)

Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata, commonly known as Field Elm or Variegated Elm tree, is a stately, deciduous tree grown for its colourful foliage. The...

From$432.79
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$33.68
chlorophytum-curly--2
Chlorophytum Curly (Curly Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum Curly, commonly known as the Curly Spider Plant or Airplane plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush, variegated, and...

From$21.53
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$16.20
acer-esk-sunset-
Acer Esk Sunset (Eskimo Sunset Maple)

Acer pseudoplatanus Esk Sunset, commonly known as the Eskimo Sunset Sycamore Maple, is grown for its rich and colourful foliage. The lush leaves on...

From$382.61
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$343.89
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$8.78
Pittosporum eugenioides variegatum lush foliage.
Pittosporum eugenioides 'variegatum' (Variegated Tarata)

Pittosporum eugenioides Variegatum, commonly known as Variegated Tarata, features slender, dark coloured stems which bear dark green leaves with a...

From$21.53
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$18.83
Lomandra White Sands with elegant, variegated foliage in a courtyard garden.
Lomandra White Sands

Lomandra White Sands is a fabulous ornamental grass renowned for its variegated foliage. It features arching, cream, and green-striped leaves and...

From$25.58
Cornus controversa variegata

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Acorus, Chlorophytum, Cordyline, Cornus, Ctenanthe, Liriope, Lomandra, Metrosideros, Ophiopogon, Peperomia, Pittosporum, Schefflera, Senecio Tiarella and Ulmus, or related Categories - Grasses, Mondo Grass, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Deciduous Shrubs, Deciduous Trees Evergreen Trees and Maple Tree.

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.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Sure, Gardenia 'Veitchii' and Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood) are crowd-pleasers, but Prunus Spire, Thuja 'Green Giant', and Coprosma Evening Glow (Mirror Bush) are quietly making a name for themselves.
–The Plant Company

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