*some images are of mature trees and shrubs
Red Dogwood Tree
Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief'Description
If you love red and want to add some warmth to your landscape, the Red Dogwood tree is the tree for you! Enjoy RED throughout the year, not just during the spectacular spring bloom!
Distinctive, rose red blooms announce the arrival of spring. A few weeks later as the early spring cool transitions into hooray-winter-is-over warm, new leaves emerge with a shiny red tint. As the young leaves mature this tint fades to classic green. These oval-shaped, green leaves become a cozy, deep red in fall. But that isn't the end of the show! In fall, lovely, red berries form and last throughout winter. When the Red Dogwood tree drops its leaves these shiny, red berries add color and interest, attracting birds and wildlife. So get out your binoculars and enjoy the show! The bark of this tree is an attractive and unique light gray color. It is delicate and smooth when the tree is young, and as the tree matures a scale-like texture is yet another source of appeal for this gorgeous tree.
Red Dogwood trees grow in full sun to part shade and are adaptable to most well-draining neutral to acidic soils, including clay. Once established this variety is drought tolerant, but will grow and bloom best when the soil is watered when it is dry. Fertilize in early spring and when planting to give your tree a boost. Choose a balanced, slow release fertilizer like the one we carry here. Dogwoods do not generally require pruning, but if needed prune when they are dormant to remove any dead, dying, or crowded branches.
This variety of Dogwood is pest and disease resistant as well as deer tolerant. Our Red Dogwood tree is a tough and hardy tree that you will enjoy for years to come!
Order yours today! These are going fast!

Shipping Restriction | AZ |
Soil Type | Acidic, Adaptable, Well Drained |
Sunlight | Full, Partial |
Drought Tolerance | Good |
Mature Height | 20-30 Feet |
Mature Width | 20-30 Feet |
Fall Color | Red |
Bloom Color | Multicolored, Pink, Red |
How To Care
When planting your Red Dogwood tree be sure you have the right location and conditions for your new tree to thrive. Spring and fall are ideal times to plant. However, if you avoid extreme temperatures you can plant almost any time of the year.
These trees tolerate full sun to part shade. Provide some shade if you live in a warmer zone. Dogwoods prefer soil that is well-drained, neutral to acidic, and nutrient rich, but they are adaptable to many soils. If you have alkaline soil, you can amend your soil. To acidify your soil, amend with compost, elemental sulfur, or use fertilizers specific for acid loving plants. Mulching with pine straw or pine bark will help over time as they begin to break down, but are not an immediate solution for increasing acidity. Mulching will also aid in keeping the shallow roots cool and moist. Add a layer of 2 to 3 inches of mulch. Do not allow the mulch to touch the trunk as this increases the chances of pests and disease. Water deeply 1 to 2 times per week when newly planted. Once established this variety is drought tolerant, but will grow and bloom best when the soil is watered when it is dry. Fertilize in early spring and when planting to give your tree a boost. Choose a balanced, slow release fertilizer like the one we carry here. Dogwoods do not generally require pruning, but if needed prune when they are dormant to remove any dead, dying, or crowded branches.
This variety of Dogwood is pest and disease resistant as well as deer tolerant and can be considered the perfect flowering tree for zone 5, zone 6, zone 7, zone 8, or zone 9.
Shipping Restriction | AZ |
Soil Type | Acidic, Adaptable, Well Drained |
Sunlight | Full, Partial |
Drought Tolerance | Good |
Mature Height | 20-30 Feet |
Mature Width | 20-30 Feet |
Fall Color | Red |
Bloom Color | Multicolored, Pink, Red |
Landscape Ideas
The showy Red Dogwood tree is a lovely accent or focal tree. Growing from 15 to 30 tall and wide at maturity, this dogwood is large enough to be a yard tree, but stays small enough to be used in a garden or a larger mixed or raised bed. The Red Dogwood tree looks vibrant planted with abelias and azaleas. Hostas are perfect for under your dogwood tree. Plant your dogwoods in groups of three for loads of color. This tree is beautiful for the entrance of your home or driveway. Plant several to line a long driveway. You will love being welcomed home by the year-round beauty of the Red Dogwood tree.
For additional options, be sure to browse our Dogwood and Flowering Tree collections.
Shipping Restriction | AZ |
Soil Type | Acidic, Adaptable, Well Drained |
Sunlight | Full, Partial |
Drought Tolerance | Good |
Mature Height | 20-30 Feet |
Mature Width | 20-30 Feet |
Fall Color | Red |
Bloom Color | Multicolored, Pink, Red |
Shipping Details
You can still order now, but due to cold weather and the risk of cold damage in transit, we will delay shipping to areas indicated on the map and below:
- Orders in Growing Zones 3-4 will ship May 1st
- Orders in Growing Zones 5-6 will ship mid April
- Orders in Growing Zones 7-10 will ship immediately
Some plants are not available for immediate shipment, and delayed delivery is noted.
We will return to normal shipping in the spring.
If you live within a delayed shipping zone and would like your plant shipped immediately, please contact customer support at support@plantingtree.com
Inventory is moving fast! Order now to reserve your plants. Due to cold weather and the risk of cold damage in transit, we will delay shipping to areas indicated on the map and below. We do this so your plant has the best opportunity to thrive in your landscape.
- Orders in Growing Zones 3-4 will start shipping May 1st
- Orders in Growing Zones 5-6 will start shipping mid April
- Orders in Growing Zones 7-10 will ship immediately
Some plants are not available for immediate shipment, but are available for pre-order and this will be indicated on the product page.
We will return to normal shipping schedules in the spring.
If you live within a delayed shipping zone and would like your plant shipped immediately, please contact customer support at support@plantingtree.com
*Orders ship in 1-3 days. West Coast orders may be held until the following Monday to prevent additional transit time.
AMOUNT OF ORDER | SHIPPING COST |
Less than $15 |
$11.95 |
$15 - 23.99 |
$13.95 |
$24 - $39.99 |
$16.95 |
$40 - 79.99 |
$19.95 |
$80 - 98.99 |
$22.95 |
$99 - 118.99 |
$26.95 |
$119+ |
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