Pink Cherokee Chief Dogwood: The Showstopping Flowering Tree for Every Landscape

If your yard craves four-season drama, the Pink Cherokee Chief Dogwood (Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief') delivers. This cultivar stands out even among dogwoods for its intense color, reliable form, and adaptability.

Why It's a Top Pick

• Spring: Profuse deep-pink bracts (often likened to butterflies) cover bare branches.
• Summer: Clean green foliage; horizontal branching creates elegant silhouette.
• Fall: Foliage turns rich reddish-purple, persisting for weeks.
• Winter: Gray-brown bark with distinctive blocky texture; graceful architecture.

Key Specs

• Height: 20–25 ft | Spread: 12–15 ft
• Form: Rounded, slightly irregular; horizontal tiers
• Zones: 5–9 (verify yours before buying)
• Sun: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic preferred

Landscape Uses

• Specimen tree in lawn or island bed
• Along driveways, walkways, property lines
• Woodland edge (naturalizes beautifully)
• Small-yard friendly — compact for a flowering tree

Health Watch

Monitor for: spot anthracnose (leaf spots), dogwood anthracnose (serious canker), borers, powdery mildew. Good air circulation, mulch, and avoiding overhead watering prevent most issues.

Where to Buy

Reputable mail-order nurseries (like DNT Nursery) ship healthy, well-rooted specimens. Order dormant (late fall–early spring) for best establishment.

One tree. Four seasons of wonder. The Cherokee Chief earns its title.