Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum)

This large shrub of 10-15 feet grows in an upright, multi-stemmed, spreading fashion, sometimes developing dense thickets. Found in moist areas such as wetlands, swamps, and along lakes, streams, riverbanks. Suited to residential woodland or naturalized spaces with room to spread, or in areas for erosion control. It’s adaptable, tolerating clay soil, drought, and sun or shade.

Flat-topped, creamy white flower clusters appear in late spring. Beloved by pollinators, including three species of bees, it’s also a host plant for the spring and summer azure butterflies. Flowers are followed by clumps of ¼ inch indigo blue berries favored by birds including cardinal, thrushes, and downy woodpecker.

This shrub checks off all the boxes: Loved by pollinators and birds, fills up those hard to plant moist areas and slopes, lots of flowers, berries, fall color, red twigs...bursting with life all year long. 5 stars for Silky Dogwood!

Fall Color & Fruit; Attracts: 🐛 🐝 🐦
Light: full sun to shade
Soil: medium to wet