‘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.

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Plant Long & Prosper!

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