Dogwood, Cherokee Chief (Red), Bare Root

Cherokee Chief Dogwood (Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief')

Cherokee Chief Dogwood is a stunning cultivar of the native flowering dogwood, known for its deep red spring blooms, glossy green foliage, and exceptional year-round appeal. This small, ornamental tree is an ideal choice for gardens and landscapes, adding vibrant color in spring and rich red foliage in fall. Cherokee Chief is especially attractive to pollinators and birds, providing seasonal food, shelter, and ecological value. With its moderate size and versatile growing requirements, Cherokee Chief Dogwood is a beautiful addition to pollinator gardens, native plantings, and woodland edges.

Key Characteristics

• Showy Red Spring Blooms: Cherokee Chief Dogwood is known for its distinctive, deep red flowers that appear in early spring. The blooms attract bees and other pollinators, providing an essential early-season nectar source in the garden.

• Rich Green Foliage and Fall Color: The tree’s lush green leaves turn a vibrant red to burgundy in fall, adding multi-season interest to landscapes. This vivid color transition enhances its role as a focal point in mixed borders, woodland settings, or native plant gardens.

• Attracts Birds with Edible Berries: In late summer, Cherokee Chief produces small red berries that are highly attractive to birds, such as robins and cardinals. These berries provide an important food source, supporting native bird populations as they prepare for winter.

• Compact, Ornamental Form: With an elegant, spreading shape, Cherokee Chief typically grows to about 15-25 feet tall, making it suitable for smaller spaces, understory plantings, and garden borders. Its manageable size and slow growth rate allow for easy integration into various landscape designs.

• Shade Tolerant and Adaptable: Cherokee Chief Dogwood thrives in part shade to full sun and prefers well-drained, acidic soils. It performs well in woodland gardens, along shaded edges, and in moist, loamy soil, making it a versatile choice for diverse planting conditions.

Product Details

• Native Range: Eastern North America (cultivar of native species)
• Plant Life Cycle: Deciduous tree
• Sun Requirements: Part shade to full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, acidic soils; tolerates loamy and moist conditions
• Mature Height: 15-25 feet
• Bloom Time: Early spring
• Bloom Color: Deep red
• Fall Color: Red to burgundy
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9

Cherokee Chief Dogwood combines beauty, ecological value, and adaptability, making it a perfect choice for adding spring color, fall interest, and wildlife support to home landscapes and naturalized areas.