Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Chief’
$499.99
Cornus florida Cherokee Chief is a vigorous flowering dogwood with deep rose-red late-spring bracts, a rounded layered crown, red-purple autumn foliage, and red bird-attracting fruit.
- Description
- Additional information
Description
Cornus florida Cherokee Chief was selected from the Howell Hybrids, a group of about ten seedlings raised at Howell Nursery in Tennessee from two pink-flowered parents: the local Prosser selection and a tree of more northern provenance. Seedling number one became Cherokee Chief and was introduced in 1958 by Isaac J. Ike Hawkersmith.
This vigorous, widely grown cultivar develops a rounded, spreading, often multi-stemmed crown with horizontal lower branches. Compact flower heads to about 10cm across are surrounded by four notched deep rose-red bracts in late spring. Ovate green leaves develop red and purple autumn color, while bright red oval fruits may follow and attract birds.
Grow Cherokee Chief in full sun or partial shade in fertile, moist but well-drained acid to neutral soil. Maintain moisture during establishment and dry periods, mulch the root zone, and prune minimally to preserve its layered habit. It suits specimen planting, architectural schemes, cottage gardens, and urban courtyards.
Additional information
| Height | 13 ft – 26 ft |
|---|---|
| Spread | 13 ft – 26 ft |
| Flowering months | April, May |
| Synonyms | Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief', Cornus florida Royal Red, Cornus florida Super Red |
| Family | Cornaceae |
| Hazardous | unknown |
| Variegated | no |
| Color flower spring | Red, Pink |
| Aspect | East, South, West, North |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Habit | Bushy |
| Moisture | Moist but Well Drained, Well Drained Soil |
| Ph | Acid, Neutral |
| Position | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Shape | Round, Horizontal, Spreading |
| Suggest planting location | Low maintenance planting, Urban and courtyard gardens, Architectural planting, Patio and container use, Cottage and informal gardens |
| Type | Tree |
| Use for | Structural, Bird-Friendly, Low maintenance |
| Years to max height | 20 |
| Drought resistance | no |
| Cultivation | Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained acid to neutral soil in sun or partial shade; maintain moisture, mulch, and preserve the layered crown. |
| Soil | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Local names | Cherokee Chief flowering dogwood |
| Blomidon Item No | MO23002552, CORFLCC0200WB, 201832068, 201616422 |
| Propagation | Propagate by semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings, or by grafting. |
| Pests | Generally pest-free, but horse chestnut scale may occur. |
| Diseases | Cornus anthracnose and honey fungus may occur. |
| Pruning | Prune after flowering only when necessary, removing dead, damaged, diseased, or crossing growth. |
| Watering instructions | Keep soil evenly moist but drained during establishment and dry periods. |
| Sunlight instructions | Grow in full sun or partial shade with room for the layered crown. |