Silky Dogwood
Cornus amonium | Syn. Cornus amomum
Plant Details
USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 4a-8b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub or Small Tree
Height at Maturity: 8-10′
Width at Maturity: 8-10′
Spacing: 15′ for space between
Growth Habit / Form: Broad, Rounded
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Creamy White
Flower Size: Small in clusters
Flowering Period: Spring/Summer
Flower Type: Single
Fragrant Flowers: No
Foliage Color: Rich Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: Yes, white to blue as they ripen. Birds love them!
Sun Needs: Shade to Part Shade
Water Needs: Average
Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sand, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well-Drained, Wet
Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.0 (Acidic to Neutral), prefers acid soil
Maintenance / Care: Low, if left to grow naturally
Attracts: Butterflies, Birds, Visual Attention
Resistances: Deer, Disease, Insect, Wet Soil
Description
In case you were wondering, the Silky Dogwood is named for the silky gray hairs that cover the undersides of leaves and twigs, which makes identification of this native species fairly easy.
The Silky Dogwood is a large flowering shrub or small tree with multi-season appeal. In late spring to early summer it displays abundant clusters of creamy white flowers that are followed by equally abundant clusters of attractive white berries that turn to blue as they ripen. Local and migrant birds will immensely appreciate the late-season berries. The bark is smooth and red-purple in young shrubs turning to brown with shallow fissures with age. Silky Dogwood is a great low-maintenance and problem-free choice for those partial to full shade areas where the soil just doesn’t want to dry out.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 8 to 10 feet tall and wide at maturity, the Silky Dogwood is ideal for use a specimen or in groupings or hedges in partial to full shade gardens and woodland borders. Also effective as a specimen or hedge in shrub borders and along streams or ponds. A fine addition to woodland gardens, native gardens, white theme gardens, bird and wildlife gardens and cottage gardens.
Suggested Spacing: 6 to 7 feet apart for hedge; 15 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
The Silky Dogwood is very easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained to consistently moist soil of average to poor fertility and full to part shade. It will tolerate full sun if there is ample soil moisture but we think it looks and performs its best in shade. Very low maintenance when left alone and we’ve seen no serious insect or disease problems.
Plant Long & Prosper!
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