Cornus amomum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KOR-nus ah-MOH-mum
- Description
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Silky Dogwood is a deciduous tree that may grow 10 to 15 feet tall. The leaves are alternate and acutely veined with a smooth margin. The bark is smooth and red-purple in young trees. As the tree ages, the bark turns brown and develops shallow fissures. In late spring, small, white flowers mature in clusters. The small tree produces berries that develop in flat-topped clusters.
Tolerates close to full shade. Benefits from a 2-4” mulch which will help keep roots cool and moist in summer. Branches that touch the ground may root at the nodes. When left alone, this shrub may spread to form thickets.
Good shrub for moist to wet areas of the landscape. Not overly ornamental. Somewhat wild and unkempt for placement in prominent areas. Good selection for moist woodlands, naturalized areas, along steams/ponds or for erosion control.
The showy white spring flowers are followed by blue fruits that the birds will happily eat.
Problems: Susceptible to scale. Other insect pests include borers and leaf miners. Infrequent disease problems include leaf spot, crown canker, blights, root rot and powdery mildew.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cornus
- Species:
- amomum
- Family:
- Cornaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- the bark was used by Native Americans as tobacco.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Distribution:
- New Foundland to Ontario south to Missouri, Mississippi and Florida
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- It is the host plant for the spring/summer Azure butterflies. Butterflies nectar at its blooms. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, ruffed grouse, quail, turkey, chipmunks, black bear, foxes, white-tailed deer, skunks, and squirrels. The foliage is browsed by white-tailed deer. Members of the genus Cornus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Wildlife Nesting
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer, Erosion, Wet Soil, Black Walnut. Heat, drought, and soil compaction tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Open
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Description:
- The round drupes change from white to blue as they ripen. Displays from August to September.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny whitish-yellow flowers are borne in flat-topped cymes up to 2.5 inches across. Individual flowers are about 3/8 inch wide with 4 petals and four long stamens. Blooms from May to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2-5 inch long green leaves are oval to elliptic, have conspicuous veins and hairs on the undersides.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Bark Description:
- The bark in young trees is red-purple and smooth. As the tree/shrub ages, the bark turns brown and develops shallow fissures.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Reddish stems have brown pith and silky hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Near Septic
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Erosion
- Wet Soil
