Cherokee Brave Dogwood

The Nation’s Most Colorful Dogwood

By being cold hardy to zone 5 Cherokee Brave Dogwoods stand up to ice, snow, and freezing temperatures where other dogwood varieties perish. Nothing stops Cherokee Brave Dogwoods from providing color all year.

Your friends and neighbors will love gazing at the Cherokee Brave Dogwood’s large four petal blossoms that have a unique red hue that fades into a white center. The flowers glow in the landscape and will cause your garden to be the most beautiful one in the neighborhood.

Cherokee Brave Dogwoods bloom very early in the spring to fill the countryside with warm color that lets us know that winter has passed. When their bright red blossoms emerge they signal that warmer temperatures and vibrant spring colors are on their way.

When Cherokee Brave Dogwood leaves first emerge they have a red tint before maturing to lush, green leaves that fill in to create an attractive canopy that shades the area beneath it. In the fall the leaves turn a shade of maroon for a dazzling display of colorful fall foliage.

Once the leaves drop they make way for vibrant red berries that pop against the Cherokee Brave Dogwood’s stunning grey trunk. They fill the countryside with color while other plants are dull and brown during the winter.

The showy red berries are a food source for birds, and invite them to perch in the Cherokee Brave’s branches. In exchange for a delicious snack the birds chirp and hop from branch to branch to entertain spectators.

Cherokee Brave Dogwood trees are smaller ornamental trees that only reach heights of 20 to 30 feet, so they can fit perfectly in any landscape. Even those with limited space. They will flourish with unrivaled beauty without taking over the yard.

They earn their strong warrior title, ‘Cherokee Brave’ because they are tough and low maintenance. They are pest and disease resistant, while also being drought tolerant. Simply plant your new Cherokee Brave Dogwoods and watch them thrive.

Planting & Care

The Cherokee Brave Dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Comco No. 1’) is a desirable ornamental tree with rich red flowers that will fade to a white center in the spring season. They’re fairly low maintenance and commonly planted in USDA growing zones 5-9 which means they are fairly cold tolerant. Cherokee Brave Dogwoods are fast growers that require well-draining, acidic soil and adequate moisture. They will mature to a height of 15-30 feet tall and about 25-35 feet wide so be sure there is ample space for the tree to grow. The showy crimson flowers have white centers held at the top of the branches in mid spring and green foliage which emerges burgundy colored in the spring. The leaves will take on an outstanding red color and produce red berries from early to late fall. The Cherokee Brave is a full to partial sun loving, deciduous tree with stunning growth to the horizontally-tiered branches.

Location: When planting a Cherokee Brave, find a site that offers full to partial sun. Plant in northern or eastern exposure to protect from the harsh afternoon sun.

Planting Instructions: Select a site that is well-draining and slightly acidic for the Cherokee Brave Dogwood.

1)Dig your hole three times the width of the size of the root ball and slightly deeper.
2) Loosen the soil, in and around the hole so the roots can easily break through.
3) Use your fingers to separate the roots of your Cherokee Brave Dogwood and gently position downward in the hole. Hold the tree straight as you begin to backfill the site.
4) Apply water to settle the soil and remove any air pockets that may have formed.

Mulching: Protect the roots in the cold of winter by applying a thick layer of pine needles, bark or wood mulch. To avoid fungus and rot, keep the mulch about 2 inches from the trunk. Mulching will also help with keeping the soil moist as well as deter weeds and grasses from growing.

Watering: Water newly planted Cherokee Brave Dogwoods once or twice a week during the summer and fall. Watering during the winter is rarely necessary. When you water, give it a good, deep soaking to ensure it penetrates down to the deepest roots.

Fertilizing: Little or no fertilizer is needed during the first growing season. Too much fertilizer when the tree is young can stunt root growth and possible injury the tree. You can fertilize established trees twice a year, in February and again in mid-June.

Pruning: Dogwoods don’t really need much pruning. Remove dead and injured branches. Proper pruning will make the trees more attractive and keep them healthier.