Cornus florida 'Crimson Red' (Flowering Dogwood)

Cornus florida 'Crimson Red' is a unique, ornamental cultivar of flowering dogwood, a native, flowering tree species considered to be among the most spectacular flowering trees in the US at springtime. Unlike many ornamental varieties of Cornus florida, the 'Crimson Red' cultivar is the first red-flowering dogwood avriety on the market that is true to seed. While other red-flowering varieties like 'Cherokee Brave' or 'Cherokee Chief' can occasionally revert or produce branches with less intense red coloration, the 'Crimson Red' cultivar is red to the very core, with red-tinted new growth and striking, dark crimson flowers in the early spring months. Flowers are an important food source for early season pollinators and also make for an impressive display when so many trees are still bare in the early season. Like other dogwoods, 'Crimson Red' can be multi- or single-stemmed but typically grows to 15-30' tall with wide, horizontal branching out to a spread of about 25-35'. 

Once flowers are established in the early spring, they are followed by dense, attractive green foliage with red tinges, and eventually pollinated blooms turn to bright red fruits in summer which attract 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. Cornus florida 'Crimson Red' grows best in full sun to partial shade, but definitely benefits from protection against harsh full sun and winter freezes; for this, flowering dogwood can be planted as an understory or forest margin tree in well drained soils, or as a specimen tree in less intensely sunny areas like yards with more northern exposure. 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 through hot summers.