Plant Profile: Cornus amomum

The Silky Dogwood is a deciduous tree that typically reaches heights of 10 to 15 feet. Its leaves are arranged alternately, featuring pronounced veins and smooth edges. Young trees exhibit a smooth, red-purple bark, which matures to a brown hue with shallow cracks as the tree ages. In late spring, clusters of small white flowers bloom, followed by the formation of berries in flat-topped groupings.

This tree thrives in nearly full shade and benefits from a 2-4 inch layer of mulch, which helps maintain cool and moist roots during the summer months. Branches that come into contact with the ground can root at their nodes, allowing the shrub to spread and potentially form thickets if left undisturbed.

While not particularly ornamental, the Silky Dogwood is well-suited for moist to wet areas in the landscape. Its somewhat wild and unkempt appearance makes it less ideal for prominent locations. However, it is an excellent choice for moist woodlands, naturalized settings, along streams and ponds, or for erosion control.

The striking white flowers of spring give way to blue fruits that are a favorite among birds.

Potential issues include susceptibility to scale, as well as other pests like borers and leaf miners. It may also face occasional diseases such as leaf spot, crown canker, blights, root rot, and powdery mildew.