Kinnikinnik Cornus amomum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Swida amomum
- Phonetic Spelling
- KOR-nus ah-MOH-mum
- Description
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Silky dogwood is a native large to a medium-sized deciduous shrub in the Cornaceae (dogwood) family. It is native to central and the eastern part of the United States and parts of Canada and is typically found in swamp borders, wetlands, and near streams and ponds. This shrub is multi-stemmed, open, and rounded and may grow 6 to 12 feet tall.
Clusters of creamy white flowers bloom in the spring followed by blue drupes that ripen late summer. The leaves and twigs have silky hairs. A distinctive feature of this shrub is the dark brown pith of 1 to 2-year-old stems and dark-reddish twigs.
The genus name, Cornus, is Latin from the word, cornu, which means "horn." This refers to the hardness of the wood. This shrub has several common names including swamp dogwood. This references its usual habitat.
The silky dogwood prefers well-drained medium to wet acidic soils. It may be grown in full sun, partial shade, and even tolerates close to full shade. The roots need to be kept cool and moist during the summer. It is recommended that 2 to 4 inches of mulch be added to protect the plant's roots. If the shrub branches touch the ground they may form roots at the nodes. Thickets may result if the growth of the shrub is not controlled. The shrub also may be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or layering.
The creamy white clusters of blooms appear at the tips of the branches from May to June. The leaves are dark green, opposite, simple, pubescent, and acutely veined with a smooth margin. The berry-like drupes appear in drooping clusters from August to September and attract many birds. The twigs are usually dark reddish-purple with fine hairs. The older bark is smooth and gray.
This is a good shrub selection for moist to wet areas of the landscape. It is not overly ornamental and is somewhat wild and unkempt for placement in prominent areas. Consider the silky dogwood for moist woodlands, naturalized areas, or sites near streams/ponds. It is also effective for erosion control.
NC Native Shrub
Seasons of interest:
Bloom: Spring Fruit: Summer Twigs: Winter
Quick ID Hints:
- open, rounded, medium-sized shrub
- silky hairs on the leaves and twigs
- creamy white clusters of flowers in the spring
- drupes ripen to dark blue in late summer
- dark-reddish purple twigs
- smooth gray bark
- dark brown pith in 1 to 2-year-old stems
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The silky dogwood has no serious insects or disease problems. It may be susceptible to scale. Borers and leaf miners are potential pests. Leaf spot, crown canker, blights, root rot, and powdery mildew may occur. Thickets may form if the shrub is not maintained.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Indigo'
small white flowers and blue fruits
- 'Indigo'
- 'Indigo'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Indigo'
small white flowers and blue fruits
- 'Indigo'
- 'Indigo'
- 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
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Distribution:
- Native: Canada--Ontario and New Foundland: US--AL, CT, DE, DC, FL, IL, IN, IO, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, and WV
- 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: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- 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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- 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:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The round drupes are 1/4 inch in diameter. They change from white to blue as they ripen. A cluster of drupes droops from greenish or reddish stalks. 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:
- The tiny creamy-white flowers are arranged in flat-topped cymes that are up to 2.5 inches across. The individual flowers are about 3/8 inch wide and have four petals, four sepals, and four long stamens. The flower stalks have silky hairs. The blooms appear 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:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are simple, opposite, and elliptical to ovate. The margins are entire. Each leaf measures from 2 to 3.5 inches long and 3/4 to 2 inches wide. The upper surface of the leaves is dark green, and the underside is a paler green. Both surfaces have short stiff hairs. The fall foliage may be green, brown, or purplish-red.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- The bark is thin, smooth, and gray.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The young twigs may be greenish-purple to dark reddish-purple. They are covered with fine hairs. Older branches are dark purple and eventually develop vertical brownish lenticels or pores. The pith is brown on branches over a year old.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Near Septic
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Erosion
- Wet Soil