Trees

Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief'

Cherokee Chief flowering dogwood

Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief' photographed at Merrifield Garden Center, Virginia; licensed exact-cultivar photograph, not current inventory.

Cherokee Chief produces ruby-red floral bracts above an elegant, layered branch structure. Bronze-red young leaves become green before turning burgundy in autumn, and red fruit extends the display. The low-branched crown is typically broader than tall, so give this deciduous dogwood enough horizontal room to develop naturally.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun to partial sun
Size: Height: 15–20 ft · Width: 20–25 ft
Water: Water when top 2 inches dry
Hardiness: USDA 5–9
Bloom: Ruby-red bracts, spring

Sizes & prices

#7Pink DogwoodCall for price
#10Pink DogwoodCall for price

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

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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: Low-branched, broad crown with layered branches.

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

Mulch: Use mulch to conserve moisture and keep roots cool; keep it clear of the trunk.
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

Monrovia

NC State Extension

University of Minnesota Extension

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

horticulture.mgcafe.uky.edu

Photo: David J. Stang · CC BY-SA 4.0

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