Collected in the forests of central and southern China in the early 1900s by Ernest H. Wilson — whose name the species epithet honors — Cornus wilsoniana remains uncommon in cultivation, which is a shame. It grows as a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching 16 to 40 feet at maturity, with an open habit and low branches that give it a natural, unforced form. The papery grayish-green leaves carry fine white hairs on their undersides, but the bark is the real draw: on mature specimens it develops a smooth, pale gray surface that is genuinely striking in a winter garden.

Small clusters of white flowers appear in spring, followed by purplish-black berries in fall that attract butterflies and other wildlife. It performs best in cooler summer climates with well-drained, organically rich, acidic soil and consistent moisture — mulching heavily helps maintain the root conditions it prefers. It is thought to be resistant to twig blight, and serious pest and disease problems are rare. Given its eventual size and the time it takes to develop that distinctive bark, it rewards a patient gardener who can give it a prominent spot.