The Cherokee Dogwood Clan - The Dreamers

Flowering Dogwood blossoms
The spring  flowering Dogwood is native to North America. When in the wild, they can typically be found at the forest edge and on dry ridges. 

 They flower in early April in the southern part of their range, to late April or early May in northern and high altitude areas. 

Cherokee Chief Dogwood from Heritage Nursery 

Did you ever wonder why flowering Dogwood varieties refer to Cherokees? I did. 
There is: 
  • 'Cherokee Daybreak' - white bract; vigorous grower with variegated leaves.
  • 'Cherokee Chief' - red bracts; red new growth.
  • 'Cherokee Brave' - Even redder than 'Cherokee Chief', smaller bracts but dark red color; consistently resistant to powdery mildew.
  • 'Cherokee Princess' - vigorous white bracts, industry standard for white flowers.
  • 'Cherokee Sunset' - purplish-red bracts; variegated foliage.

Twin Springs Nursery - Cherokee Sunset Dogwood

The Cherokee believed that a tiny people lived amidst the Dogwoods and that this divine little race was sent to teach people to live in harmony with the woods. 
The “Dogwood People,” as they are called, are very kind;  they’re delicate, both physically & emotionally. They look only for the good and beauty of life. They are never mischievous.

Cherokee Brave Dogwood - Loma Vista Nursery 

They protect babies and take  care of the old and infirm.  The lessons of the Dogwood People are simple - if you do something for someone, do it out of goodness of your heart.

 Don't do it to have people obligated to you or for personal gain.

Those in the Dogwood Clan are the dreamers. They dream up happiness for everyone and everything. 

The  stories tell us that if the petals of the dogwood blossoms fall quickly in the Spring or all at once, the Dogwood Clan is sad, and crying for the people. But if the blossoms stay on the trees a long time and fall slowly, they are pleased with the people.
I hope the Dogwood blossoms prolifically this year and stay on the trees a long time......
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Comments

  1. The Quilting ElfApril 30, 2014 at 8:49 PM

    This was a fascinating post. Thank you so much for sharing the Dogwood stories.
    Kathy T. in Tampa, FL

    ReplyDelete

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