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Native Plants of the Southeast

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Cornus amomum
Silky Dogwood, Red Willow, Silky Cornel, Squawbush, and Indigo Dogwood.

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Silky Dogwood is a hardy, spreading shrub that grows in moist habitats, mostly by stream banks and wet lowlands in the eastern U.S. While attractive, its ability to draw wildlife to it is also a very strong attribute. It is a medium-size shrub, growing up to ten feet tall and wide, adaptable to a wide range of sun, water and soil conditions. It will colonize from runners, if allowed to, and low branches touching the soil can even root in. The young stems are reddish and turn gray as they mature. Leaves are single, opposite, ovate, pointed, with the curved veins typical of the genus. Two-inch, flat-topped clusters of small, white flowers bloom in May and June followed by dainty indigo-colored fruit in September. Silky Dogwood is an excellent choice for a moist, naturalized area close to windows or frequently visited sites as it attracts a very broad range of birds to feed on its caterpillars in summer and its fruit in fall.

Last Updated: May 15, 2019

Key Info

Scientific Name: Cornus amomum Mill.
Common Names: Silky Dogwood, Red Willow, Silky Cornel, Squawbush, and Indigo Dogwood.
Family Name: Cornaceae (Dogwood Family)
Plant Type: Tree / Shrub
Uses: Woodland Garden, Naturalizing, Pond edge, Riparian buffer, Stream stabilization
Light Requirement: Full sun, Partial/sunny, Partial/shady
Moisture Requirement: Wet, Medium, Moist well drained
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Bloom Times: May, Jun
Flower Color: Creamy white
Special Characteristics: Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Attracts birds, Tolerates wet conditions, Rhizomatous, Showy fruit, Good wildlife cover/habitat

Additional Info

Habit: Multi-stemmed, suckering, small to medium shrub with rounded form.
Height: 6' to 10'
Spread: 6'-10'
Growth Rate: Moderate
Soil Conditions: Average to wet; pH acid, neutral, or basic; can grow in sandy, loamy or heavy clay soils
Leaves: Leaves are simple, opposite, oval, with pointy tips, 2 to 4 inches long; veins are curved, margins entire, and the leaves are green above and lighter below. Fall color is reddish.
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Flat-topped, 2- inch clusters of small, perfect, white flowers (petal-like bracts seen on Florida Dogwood are absent on this species).
Fruit: White, berry-like drupes turn blue when ripe in the fall.
Natural Distribution: Floodplains, wetlands, streambanks, pond banks, clearings.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: FACW
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, other insects
Wildlife Connections: Attracts large numbers of insects which in turn draw birds. Birds observed, for insects, berries or cover/habitat: wild turkey, ruffed grouse, bobwhite, pheasant, common flickers, red-headed, downy, and pileated woodpeckers, kingbirds, brown thrashers, robins, wood thrushes, bluebirds, cedar waxwings, and purple finches, wood ducks, American woodcocks, ray cat birds and gold finches. It is also host plant for the spring azure butterfly. (Illinoiswildflowers.info)
Propagation: From seed.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov

Availability

Available: Gallons, $15

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Office: (919) 542-6186

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Who we are

Cure Nursery is a small nursery propagating and selling native plants for the Southeastern U.S. We are located near the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, in central NC.

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