Family

Cornaceae

Description

‘Cherokee Chief’ is a red-flowering cultivar of the native flowering dogwood, prized for its rich, ruby-pink bracts that appear in early spring before the leaves emerge. As with the species, the true flowers are small and clustered at the center of each bract. New leaves emerge reddish, maturing to green in summer and transitioning to a deep crimson in fall. Red fruit clusters follow the bloom, attracting songbirds.

This cultivar is a selection of Cornus florida, a native species to the eastern United States, which thrives in the understory of deciduous woodlands. It prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil in partial shade to full sun and benefits from protection against drought and root disturbance. ‘Cherokee Chief’ is valued for its four-season interest, from spring bloom to fall foliage and winter branching.

Bloom Time

April to May