Flowering Dogwood Cherokee Princess
Cornus florida 'Cherokee Princess'
The most celebrated white-flowering dogwood cultivar, Cherokee Princess produces abundant large, pure white bracts that create a stunning spring display lasting 2-3 weeks. This vigorous native tree offers four-season interest with glossy green summer foliage, brilliant red fall color, and attractive winter bark texture. Its reliable blooming and superior disease resistance make it the gold standard for dogwoods in American landscapes.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
KOR-nus FLOR-ih-dah
Zones
5–9
USDA hardiness
Height
15-25 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Flowering Dogwood Cherokee Princess in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 ornamental-tree →Zone Map
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Flowering Dogwood Cherokee Princess · Zones 5–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: KOR-nus FLOR-ih-dah. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12-24 feet, 24-60 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Fruit is a glossy bright, shiny red, oval drupes (0.5 inch) in tight clusters of 3 or 4 that are bitter and inedible to humans but loved by birds. They display from August to October.
Color: Green, Red/Burgundy. Type: Berry, Drupe. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Spring
History & Origin
Origin: South Eastern Canada, Eastern North America, to Eastern Mexico
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Compaction, Deer, Fire, Storm damage, Wind
- +Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators, Small Mammals, Songbirds, Specialized Bees
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Hosta
Thrives in partial shade provided by dogwood canopy, complementary foliage textures
Astilbe
Enjoys similar moist, well-draining soil and partial shade conditions
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Tolerates shade, provides colorful foliage contrast and ground coverage
Wild Ginger
Native understory plant that thrives in dogwood's filtered light and leaf litter
Ferns
Natural woodland companions, benefit from shade and consistent moisture
Azalea
Similar soil pH preferences and benefits from partial shade protection
Caladium
Shade-loving with colorful foliage that complements dogwood's seasonal interest
Impatiens
Thrives in filtered light, provides continuous color under tree canopy
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that can stunt dogwood growth and cause leaf yellowing
Large Maple Trees
Shallow root systems compete aggressively for water and nutrients
Mint
Invasive spreading habit can overwhelm tree's root zone and compete for resources
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent resistance to anthracnose and powdery mildew
Common Pests
Dogwood borer, scale insects, aphids
Diseases
Dogwood anthracnose (resistant), spot anthracnose, canker