‘Scarlet Fire’ Dogwood Tree
Cornus kousa ‘Rutpink’ PP #28,311
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-8b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Tree
Height at Maturity: 15-20′
Width at Maturity: 15-20′
Spacing: 15′ or more from home, structures, and other trees
Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Rounded Vase shape
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Flower Color: Pink fading to Deep Fuschia-Pink with tinge of Green followed by abundant Red berries
Flower Size: 5″ in diameter
Flowering Period: Late Spring to Early Summer
Flower Type: Single
Fragrant Flowers: No
Berries: Yes, 1′ diameter – abundant and edible!
Berry Color: Red
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Sun Needs: Mostly Sun to Part Shade or All Day Filtered or Dappled Sun
Water Needs: Average, Low when established
Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sand, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist
Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.5 (Acidic to Slightly Acidic)
Maintenance / Care: Very Low Maintenance when left to grow naturally
Attracts: Visual Attention, Songbirds. Wildlife
Resistances: Deer, Disease, Heat, Insects
Description
In 45 years of plant breeding, ‘Scarlet Fire’ is the first Corna kousa it has ever bed and introduced…and boy is it a beauty! This new cultivar is the darkest and most consistently pink selection with massive 5 inch diameter deep pink to fuchsia coloration at its peak. The brilliant colored glowing flower bracts are truly stunning in the landscape from up close and afar, and appear for over a course of about 6 weeks. Exceptionally floriferous, the original tree flowered very heavy at only 4 years old and budded trees can set many floral buds only after two growing seasons!
The foliage of Scarlet Fire emerges green with purple streaking that eventually becomes solid green by summer. The late spring flower show is followed by a second act of abundant and large 1″ diameter red edible berries that the birds and other wildlife will thank you for.
If you’ve been afraid to plant a Dogwood tree for fear of disease and/or borer problems, fear not. The dependable Cornus kousa, of which ‘Scarlet Fire’ is one, has demonstrated excellent resistance to both the dogwood borer and anthracnose disease. In some areas of the U.S., anthracnose has almost wiped out many of the native dogwoods, Cornus florida. Not only does Cornus kousa result in a tree with stronger vigor and resistance to insect and disease, it will look and grow better in full sun than other dogwood species.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 15 to 20 feet tall and equally as wide over time, the the Scarlet Fire Dogwood is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings or in a staggered row in sunny or shady landscape or woodland borders. Also nice to frame the corners of tall homes and to provide beauty and some shade around patios, porches and other outdoor living spaces. A fine addition to woodland gardens, pink theme gardens, Asian theme gardens, wildlife gardens, and cottage gardens.
Suggested Spacing: 22′ or more for space between trees
Growing Preferences
Dogwood trees are adaptable to many soil types however prefer a moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Though Dogwood trees will tolerate full sun, we think they look and perform best with some shade or filtered sun during the hottest part of summer afternoons.Constantly soggy or wet soils are problematic. Maintenance is minimal to none. Except to remove a stray or broken branch, no pruning is necessary.
Note: Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop computer monitors or below on mobile devices.
Plant Long & Prosper!
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