Cherokee Chief Dogwood, also known as Cornus florida 'Rubra,' is a small deciduous tree native to eastern North America. It typically grows to a height of 20-30 feet and has a spread of 25-30 feet. The Tree is prized for its showy pink or red flowers that bloom in early Spring 2024, followed by bright red fruit that ripens in the Fall (End of October).
Cherokee Chief Dogwood Is A Low Maintenance Tree
The Tree is relatively easy to grow and prefers moist, well-drained soil in partial shade to full sun. It can live in various soil types and pH levels but requires adequate moisture to thrive. Pruning is usually only necessary to remove dead or damaged wood or to shape the Tree.
Cherokee Chief Dogwood's Uses
Besides its ornamental value, the Tree is also used in landscaping as a screen or hedge or as an accent tree in small yards or gardens. It is also famous for wildlife gardens, as the fruit is a favorite of birds and other small mammals.
Cherokee Chief Dogwood Is Known For Its Unique Blossoms
The flowering tree is aboriginal to North America and is known for its unique blossoms. The Cherokee people have a solid cultural and historical connection to the land and the natural world, and the Dogwood tree holds special significance in folklore and traditions. The Tree is often associated with strength and resilience. The Tree was once tall and robust, but it was cut down and used to make the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. In response, God transformed the Tree so that it would never grow tall and strong again, but instead would always grow as a small and delicate tree, with four white petals symbolizing the four points of the cross, a red center representing the blood of Christ, and each petal tipped with a dent meaning the nails that were used in the crucifixion.
Cherokee Chief Dogwood's Beautiful Appearance
It is among the most beautiful Native American flowering trees. The classic four-petal flowers are bright white and will attract birds, butterflies, and the human eye. They are slow to medium-growing trees that will mature to a height of twenty-five feet and are multi-stemmed deciduous with many flower-filled branches.
When planted, they must be spaced twenty-five to thirty feet apart and require a pretty sunny spot, though they can handle a little shade. It does well in cold zones five and warmer and can tolerate a heat zone up to nine, making it one of the hardier flowering trees. They will thrive better with good mulch around the root zone in winter.
Cherokee Chief Dogwood retains its beauty all year round with an appealing light-colored bark. It produces abundant white flowers in the spring and vibrant green leaves throughout the summer. When the cooler months of fall come around, it has bright red ornamental berries and deep crimson to purple leaves. The Tree grows in a slight pyramid shape with broader horizontal growth and a flatter top, making it a good shade tree that will make you feel like you're sitting in a fairy forest during the blooming months.
The ground clearance is about four feet, so little ones will love playing under the low-lying branches. This princess will look fabulous against a forest or woodland backdrop as this is their native habitat but are equally stunning as a centerpiece to a backyard landscape. Though this little beauty is a hardy tree, she will need rich, well-drained, acidic soil and adequate precipitation. The Tree would be an excellent landscaping choice, with a larger space to show off in splendor and beauty.
They are beautiful ornamental trees native to North America. The trees are outstanding plants, their beauty dazzling the eye year-round. Blooming time, if any, is in the spring; the colorful pink to red blooms appear just before the leaves.
In the summer, it has a lovely green foliage, and by fall, the leaves turn a beautiful scarlet to bronze color. Bright berries appear in the late fall and early winter. These colors are most vibrant in 5b to 8a hardy zones.
The Tree's mature height is 20-25 feet. The spread is 12 -15 feet. The spread is upright at the crown. The mature height can be affected by where it is planted. This Tree needs some space to grow to its full potential.
Hardy zones 5-8 are the best suited, but they can be grown anywhere with a good water source. Its blooming time, if any, is in the spring, and it looks fantastic against evergreens. The Tree, also known as the flowering tree, is considered one of the most beautiful trees native to America.
Cherokee Chief Dogwood is the most common ornamental Tree among homeowners and gardeners and is excellent for accenting yards or providing shade. The small deciduous tree blooms in early spring with small flower clusters surrounded by white petals resembling bracts. Full or partial sun is recommended when choosing a place to plant and grow this Tree.
The tree leaves are dark green and oval. The leaves turn spectacular shades of red during the fall. The Tree produces red fruits that are bitter and not for human consumption but are enjoyed by birds. The fruits ripen during the late summer until the early fall.
