Cornus amomum (Silky Dogwood) Unity Grown

Cornus amomum is a medium-height, deciduous shrub native to swamp border, wetlands, and stream banks across much of the eastern United States. Also called silky dogwood, the common name refers to the small, silky hairs found on twigs and on the undersides of the plant's leaves. Although Cornus amomum can grow to 12' tall, it may grow outward faster than it grows upward, forming dense thickets if growth is not controlled. Silky dogwood prefers well-drained soil on the wetter side, but has wide tolerance of soil types and light levels.

A good choice for wetter, low-lying areas in the landscape, Cornus amomum works well as a natural screen, and for erosion control near stream banks or in rain gardens, but may prove too much work to maintain in more manicured landscapes. Silky dogwood blooms from May to June, producing small lacecap clusters of white flowers instead of the stereotypical wide-bracted flowers of other dogwoods, and these flowers turn to small blueish berries which attract many types of birds in the late summer months.