Cornus florida 'CHEROKEE SUNSET' (Red Sunset) flowering dogwood
size/type
taller shrub,taller shrub
usual height
2-5m
usual width
2-4m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
April-May
location
full to partial sun
soil type
acidic (peaty)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist (dislikes drought)
USDA zone (lowest)
5 (down to -29°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Flowering dogwood is quite an unusual shrub or small tree which draws your attention all year round: in the spring it has very showy large petal-like coloured bracts, and its leaves turn to beautiful colours early in the autumn.
Description of the plant:
Cherokee Sunset (Red Sunset) puts together everything the breeders have yet been able to come up with. The flower bracts are the deepest red that can be seen on dogwood. And the leaves are mid green with yellowish-white varigation with orange shades. The margins turn pink towards the end of summer. Autumn leaves show multiple of colours with prevailing purple shades.This shrub does not like stress of any kind. Find it a nice spot now so you do not have to transplant it later, it might suffer from diseases thereafter. It needs moist but well-drained, acid soil, rich in organic material. It is a slow grower. Fully hardy to -27°C and can withstand temporary drops to -29°C (USDA zone 5).
Last update 01-02-2008.
