‘NCCH1’ is a new cultivar of hybrid dogwood with a compact, rounded habit, semi-evergreen foliage with maroon fall and winter foliage color, and 4-11 pink to red/purple floral bracts per inflorescence.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the novel plant variety disclosed herein isCornus hongkongensis×Cornus kousa‘Satomi’.

Variety denomination: The inventive interspecific hybrid ofCornus hongkongensis×Cornus kousa‘Satomi’ disclosed herein has been given the varietal denomination ‘NCCH1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct hybrid dogwood cultivar hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘NCCH1’. This new dogwood was developed through a breeding program at Mills River, N.C. ‘NCCH1’ is an F2hybrid from an open-pollinated cross among F1plants ofCornus hongkongensis×Cornus kousa‘Satomi’. The first asexual propagation of ‘NCCH1’ was carried out in August 2007 by rooting stem cuttings at the Mills River, N.C. and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings and in tissue culture over a 7 year period. ‘NCCH1’ roots readily from softwood cuttings treated with a basal dip of 4,000-5,000 ppm indole butyric acid (potassium salt) in water. ‘NCCH1’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the unique and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under standard horticultural practices at Mills River, N.C.1. Compact form with dense branching habit suitable for production as a shrub or small tree.2. Pink to reddish-purple flower bracts.3. Inflorescences with 4 to 9 flower bracts.4. Semi-evergreen foliage.5. Red to purple emerging shoots and leaves.6. Red to purple fall and winter foliage color.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the botanical characteristics of the new and distinct variety of interspecific hybrid dogwood plant known by the denomination ‘NCCH1’. The detailed description was taken on two-year-old container-grown plants in Mills River, N.C. in July-August of 2012. All colors cited herein refer to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, 2001 Edition). Where specific dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL SPECIES

Table 1 shows distinguishing characteristics between ‘NCCH1’ and its parental taxa. ‘NCCH1’ is distinguished fromCornus kousa‘Satomi’ in that ‘NCCH1’ is smaller and more compact, is semi-evergreen, has red emerging leaves and shoots, and has darker pink to red/purple floral bracts, often with more than 4 bracts per inflorescence. ‘NCCH1’ is distinguished fromCornus hongkongensisby being more compact with red/purple emerging leaves and shoots, pink to red floral bracts, often with more than 4 bracts per inflorescence.