Cornus amomum (Silky Dogwood)

Cornus amomum (Silky Dogwood) is a vigorous, spreading deciduous shrub of open-rounded habit when mature. It boasts purple-red stems and oval to elliptic, medium to dark green leaves, 2-5 in. long (5-12 cm), covered with silky hairs underneath. New growth twigs can be greenish purple though dormant twigs are typically dark reddish purple, densely covered with fine hairs. Flat-topped clusters of tiny, creamy-white flowers, 2 in. wide (5 cm), appear in late spring to early summer. While not particularly showy, they give way to attractive clusters of white berries, turning almost porcelain-blue as they ripen in late summer. The berries are greedily devoured by birds. The summer foliage may turn reddish purple in fall. Adaptable to sun or shade, Silky Dogwood is a fine choice for moist woodlands, shrub borders, naturalized areas, along streams/ponds or for erosion control.

• Grows up to 6-12 ft. tall and wide (180-360 cm). Promptly remove root suckers if colonial spread is not desired.
• Performs best in full sun to part shade, in organically rich, medium to wet, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Tolerates close to full shade.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for scale, borers and leaf miner. Deer resistant
• Great choice for shrub borders, rain gardens, along ponds and streams, or planted in naturalistic plantings where it can freely spread and form thickets.
• Propagate by hardwood cuttings.
• Native to Eastern North America.