Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief' (Dogwood) Unity Grown

Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief' is an ornamental cultivar of flowering dogwood, a native, flowering tree species considered to be among the most spectacular flowering trees in United States at springtime. The 'Cherokee Chief' cultivar can be multi- or single-stemmed but typically grows to approximately 15-30' tall with horizontal branching out to a spread of about 25-35'. In spring, while other flowering dogwood cultivars put on spectacular white-flowering shows, Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief' puts on a truly show-stopping floral performance with branches blanketed in rosy, red flowers that fade to white in the centers and a tiered structure that adds to its ornamentality.

Once flowers are established, they will attract a number of pollinators and butterflies, and are followed by dense, attractive green foliage and bright red fruits in summer which are attractive to a number of bird species. In the fall months, persistent berries add further aesthetic appeal when autumn foliage turns to beautiful, bright shades of crimson and maroon. 'Cherokee Chief' grows best in full sun to part shade, but definitely benefits from protection against harsh full sun; for this, flowering dogwood can be planted as an understory or forest margin tree in well drained soils. Additionally, since flowering dogwood can be sensitive to temperature swings, you can provide a 2-4" layer of mulch to help keep the roots cool and moist in hot summers. As a note, the 'Cherokee Chief' cultivar's tiered branches will sit lower than other cultivars, with its dense canopy hanging only about 4 feet above the ground, which something to consider for mowing or planting of other ornamentals in the landscape.