Cornus florida Firebird - Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida Firebird is a brand new variety of American flowering dogwood that combines many qualities. This large deciduous bush impresses with the beauty of its multicoloured and ever-changing foliage. From its red and pink spring shoots to its multicoloured leaves which blend green and white-cream with a touch of pink, to its flaming autumn display, it offers a magnificent and constantly renewed spectacle. In this variety, the splendour of the foliage almost surpasses the charm of the pale pink spring flowering, which is nonetheless delightful on the bare branches. In the garden, this variety is resistant to diseases affecting dogwoods. It is an exceptional bush that thrives in moist, deep, and slightly acidic soil.

Cornus florida 'Firebird' is a very recent American cultivar derived from the American flowering dogwood 'Cherokee Brave'. This beautiful flowering bush originates from regions located in the northeastern part of North America. It belongs to the family of cornaceae. 'Firebird' will reach an average size of 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in) in all directions in our gardens. Its habit is broad, conical and almost rounded, formed by a crown of lateral branches growing horizontally from the single, often twisted trunk. Starting from May in cooler regions, sometimes earlier in milder climates, clusters of small yellow-tipped moss-green flowers measuring 0.5 to 2 cm (0.2 to 0.8 in) long form, just before, or with, the appearance of the leaves. They are gathered in clusters (glomerules) and are surrounded by 4 large bracts measuring 4 cm (1.6 in) long, similar to petals, which are slightly pinkish. This abundant flowering is more pronounced if temperatures are high in summer and is followed in September-October by the formation of scattered, non-edible red fruits measuring 1 cm (0.4 in) in diameter. The deciduous foliage is remarkable. It consists of leaves that change from pink-red to white-margined with green and tinged with pink, taking on different shades before the appearance of beautiful scarlet and violet autumn colours. The leaves measure from 10 to 15 cm (3.9 to 5.9 in) long and are wide, ovate, and pointed. They are often twisted or curled. The bark of the young shoots and branches is green, tinged with red on the side exposed to the sun. With age, it becomes grey and cracks.

Cornus florida Firebird is a very hardy variety (-20°) that is best suited for humid climates, which still experience fairly hot summers. It requires non-chalky, deep and moist soil. It is naturally stunning as a standalone plant in small gardens, but also performs well in flower beds and as a free-standing hedge. It can be associated with other plants that bloom earlier (such as Witch Hazels and Star Magnolias), with purple foliage like the Sambucus nigra Black Beauty, with fragrant and perpetual blooming lilacs from the Bloomerang series, or with mock oranges. In an ericaceous bed, it is a perfect companion for rhododendrons and deciduous azaleas.

The very superficial root system of this dogwood remains just below the surface of the soil, making it susceptible to soil hardening and compaction, flooding, and damage from shovels or machinery. Therefore, it is advisable to regularly apply organic mulch around the base of this bush and avoid any planting at its base.