Cornus florida 'Cherokee Princess'
Cherokee Princess Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida ′Cherokee Princess′ - Bark

Family:

Cornaceae (Dogwood Family) 40

Genus:

Cornus (Dogwood) 40

Plant Type:

Tree 557

Growth Forms:

Upright 537

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 5 234

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 794

Flower Notes:

White (Large (up to 5" across), showy white bracts with flowers in spring)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Summer foliage); Red-Violet (Red to reddish-purple fall foliage)

Fruit Notes:

Red (Clusters of bright red berries (drupes) that are attractive to birds)

Ultimate Height:

20 feet

Ultimate Spread:

20 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Prefers well-drained, moist, slightly acidic soils

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves are opposite, simple, oval to ovate, dark green at 3-6" in length. Leaves have distinct veination best described as 6-7 vein pairs approaching the margin but never seeming to touch, sweeping toward the leaf tip. Large terminal flower buds are shaped like a "Hershey's Kiss". Scaly bark resembles alligator hide.

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 353

Fruiting Characteristics 151

Additional Information

This Flowering Dogwood cultivar is an early and abundant bloomer and produces large (up to 5" wide), showy white bracts. As with all Flowering Dogwoods, it has a distinct horizontal branching pattern and is one of the finest small trees, interesting at almost every season. Flowering Dogwoods are widely adaptable, but material of different geographic origin varies widely in hardiness. The fruit is an important food supply for native birds and other animals. 'Cherokee Princess' has indicated resistance to spot anthracnose and canker. Although not extremely drought-tolerant, the Flowering Dogwood is useful in most parts of the Midwest. It can, though, be difficult to transplant and is not pollution tolerant. Contrary to common perceptions, Flowering Dogwoods grow fine in full sun once established (might need a bit of shade in the South).