Giant Dogwood (Cornus Controversa) 10 seeds (#484)

Largest of the world's dogwood trees, and perhaps the fastest growing, giant dogwood has flat clusters of white flowers in spring that are followed by purplish fruits. A medium-sized deciduous tree from the mid-elevations across much of China and the Himalayas, this upright plant with eventually spreading branches may also be native to the mountains in Indochina, Korea and Japan. Its smooth bark is dark gray to yellow-gray with purplish young twigs.
The foliage is a pleasing mid-green, and each leaf is broad but also lance- or heart-shaped with nearly parallel veins. Leaves are arranged alternately on the twigs. In late spring, large flattened clusters of white, four-petaled blossoms are found across the tiered branches. After insect pollination the small fruits form, becoming purple-blue and finally nearly blue-black when ripe and tasty to songbirds. Fall foliage can be variable, most often pale yellow-green, but pleasing tones of red-purple can occur, too.
Grow giant dogwood in full to partial sun in a moist, organic-rich, well-draining soil that is not alkaline in pH. It is best in regions with cool to warm summers; hot summer areas should provide the plant with light shade and definitely mulch the tree's root zone to keep soil cool and moist. Use it as a specimen shade and flowering tree for a spacious lawn on a campus or park. It is truly pretty when in full bloom, giving credence to the descriptive name of "wedding cake tree".

Genus - Cornus
Species - Controversa
Common name - Giant Dogwood
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 5 - 7
Height - 35 - 50' / 10 - 15 m
Spread - 20 - 30' / 6 - 9 m
Plant type - Medium Tree
Vegetation type - Ornamental deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Shade
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral
Soil type - Clay, Loam, Well Drained
Water requirements - Average Water
Landscape uses - Shade Trees, Street Trees
Bloom season - Late Spring, Early Summer
Leaf / Flower color - Green, Dark Green / White, Ivory

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
2. Fill a nursery flat or other germination container, to within 1/2 inch of the rim, with a sterile germinating mix. Moisten the mix thoroughly.
3. Sow the seeds ~2 mm deep in the mix. Moisten the seeds and place the flat in a cold frame or in the refrigerator at +2-+4C for 90 days. Keep the seeds moist during this period.
4. Remove the flat from the refrigerator and place it in an area with indirect sunlight and where the temperature remains between +15-+20 C (60-68 F).
5. Keep in good ventilated room or place. Good air circulation is required.
5. Spray the seeds periodically with room-temperature water from a misting bottle to ensure they remain moist. Seeds typically germinate within 20 days to three months.