How to Grow Cherokee Princess
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Cherokee Princess
Cornus florida 'Cherokee Princess'
treeCherokee Princess is a cultivar of flowering dogwood featuring pure white bracts (modified leaves) that appear in spring, creating a stunning ornamental display. This deciduous tree grows 20-25 feet tall and wide, making it suitable for residential landscapes and woodland gardens. It is prized for its elegant white flowers, attractive red fall foliage, and red berries that attract wildlife.
When should you plant Cherokee Princess in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Cherokee Princess timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Cherokee Princess
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Cherokee Princess
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cherokee Princess dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, with best performance in zones 6-8
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Get my Cherokee Princess timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
First 12 monthsYoung tree with developing root system and initial branch structure
Water regularly and deeply. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base, keeping it away from trunk. Stake if necessary in windy areas. Avoid fertilizing in first year.
Vegetative Growth
Years 2-4Tree develops full canopy with strong branching pattern and healthy green foliage
Prune only to remove crossing, dead, or diseased branches. Maintain consistent moisture. Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring if needed.
Flowering
2-4 weeks in springPure white bracts emerge in early to mid-spring before leaf-out, creating spectacular white blooms
Bracts typically appear April-May depending on location. Minimize pruning during this period. Do not remove flower buds.
Fruiting & Foliage
June through OctoberAfter flowers fade, glossy green leaves develop. Red drupes (berries) form in late summer, persisting through fall
Allow berries to remain for wildlife food and ornamental appeal. Monitor for pests and diseases. Maintain watering during hot summers.
Fall & Dormancy
October-MarchFoliage turns brilliant crimson-red. Tree enters dormancy in winter with bare branches displaying winter form
Rake fallen leaves if desired. Avoid major pruning. Winter structure becomes visible—this is an excellent time to assess branching.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Improve air circulation through pruning. Water at base to avoid wetting foliage. Remove infected branches immediately. Apply fungicide in spring if history of disease present.
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Prune out heavily infested branches. Apply horticultural oil or neem oil in early spring before leaf-out. Monitor regularly.
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Ensure adequate air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur or fungicide spray if severe. Remove infected leaves.
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Maintain tree health and vigor with proper watering. Avoid wounding bark. Remove and destroy severely infested branches.
Uses
Wildlife Food Source
WildlifeThe bright red drupes (berries) are readily consumed by songbirds including cardinals, robins, and thrushes, making it an excellent choice for bird-friendly landscapes. [source]
Ornamental Landscaping
HouseholdPure white bracts in spring, summer green foliage, and brilliant crimson fall color make it a four-season ornamental specimen tree for residential and public gardens. [source]
Landscape Design Focal Point
CraftIts refined branching structure and elegant form make it ideal as a specimen tree, understory tree in woodland gardens, or focal point in shade gardens. [source]
Traditional Herbal Uses
MedicinalHistorically, dogwood bark was used in Native American and traditional medicine; modern research continues to explore compounds in dogwood species. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
This ornamental tree is not harvested for food. Enjoy the white flowers in spring (April-May) and the red berries and foliage in fall (September-October). The berries are attractive to cardinals, robins, and other wildlife.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Cherokee Princess was selected for its exceptional pure white bracts without the typical pink center found in some flowering dogwood cultivars, making it a premium ornamental variety.
- 🌱 Flowering dogwoods are native to eastern North America and have cultural significance; the flowering dogwood is the state flower of Virginia, North Carolina, and Missouri.
- 🌱 Despite being called 'flowers,' the showy white structures are actually modified leaves called bracts; the true flowers are tiny and clustered in the center, often overlooked by observers.
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