Cornus amomum Silky Dogwood
General
A fast growing medium size dogwood shrub that favors wetter sites. Attractive year round and commonly used as an ornamental plant. Provides nesting and cover for birds.
Plant Description
Cornus amomum grows 5-8’ tall. Small, white flowers in summer and bright blue or purple drupes (sometimes almost white) in late summer. Subtle but pleasant foliage color in autumn. In winter, the brown to bright red bark is visible.
Height (ft)
5-8
Spread (ft)
6
Soil moisture
High
Soil types
Fine to Coarse
Wetland indicator
FACW
Shade tolerance
Tolerant, Full sun to part shade
Bloom color
White
Bloom period
Spring
Fall conspicuous
Sometimes
Anaerobic tolerance
Medium
Drought tolerance
Low
Salinity tolerance
None
Self-Pollinating?
Yes
Range
Found from Maine and southern Quebec west to Minnesota, south to Texas, and eastward to Florida and the Atlantic coast.
![Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]](https://newp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Cornus-amomum-1024x625.png "Cornus amomum")
Additional Information
According to BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database, the dried inner bark has been used for smoking. An infusion of the bark taken for chest congestion. A decoction of the bark has been used for an emetic.
