Trees

Cornus florida 'Comco No. 1'

Cherokee Brave flowering dogwood

Cherokee Brave flowering dogwood photographed by David J. Stang; 0.

Cherokee Brave is a flowering dogwood with red-pink bracts and contrasting pale centers. Burgundy-tinted young foliage becomes green for summer, then returns to rich maroon tones in fall. Red fruits add another seasonal detail, making this small, low-branched tree a colorful choice for an ornamental planting.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Size: Height: About 25 ft (grower estimate) · Width: About 22 ft (grower estimate)
Water: Moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness: USDA 5–9
Bloom: Red-pink bracts, spring

Sizes & prices

#7Pink DogwoodCall for price
#10Pink Dogwood$179.99

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

Ask about this plant

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Landscape use & tree form

Use: Ornamental specimen; Understory planting
Major issues: Powdery mildew, anthracnose, canker and borers are possible; individual cultivar resistance varies.
Fruit / litter: Red autumn drupes feed birds; leaves and fruit create seasonal litter.
Growth rate: Species guidance: medium; cultivar and growing conditions may differ.
Form: Upright branching, broadening into a rounded crown.

Resistance & tolerances

Deer: Deer browse foliage; substantial damage is possible despite some resistance listings.
Drought: Shallow roots need supplemental water in dry periods; mulch to conserve moisture.
Wet soil: Parent-species guidance: Requires drainage; keep shallow roots moist, not waterlogged.

Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.

Pollinators & wildlife

Attracts: Bees, Butterflies
Caterpillar host: Butterflies
Evidence: Species-level guidance; cultivar habitat value varies.

Native range

Native range / parentage: Cultivar/selection of a species native to eastern North America to eastern Mexico. Cultivated selection of a Kentucky-native species; not wild local stock.
Tristate native status: Cultivated selection of a Kentucky-native species; not wild local stock.

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Deciduous

Growing & care

Site: Use organic mulch to keep roots cool; afternoon shade helps in hot sites.
Pruning: Preserve the layered branching; remove dead or diseased wood promptly and avoid unnecessary large wounds near the trunk.
Soil: Moist, well-drained; brief dry periods tolerated

Sources & photo credits

J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.

Maples N More Nursery

NC State Extension

University of Minnesota Extension

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

horticulture.mgcafe.uky.edu

Photo: David J. Stang · CC BY-SA 4.0

Image notes: Cherokee Brave flowering dogwood photographed by David J. Stang; resized from the original under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.