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Silky Dogwood Shrub
Silky Dogwood Shrub
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Cornus amomum
Silky Dogwood
The Silky Dogwood is a vigorous, multi-stemmed native shrub known for its soft blue fruit, creamy white flowers, and striking red stems in winter. This bare root variety is highly adaptable and thrives in wet soils, streambanks, and naturalized landscapes, offering both year-round interest and high wildlife value.
Perfect for erosion control, rain gardens, and habitat restoration, the Silky Dogwood is a fast grower that brings pollinator support, bird food, and four-season beauty to both formal and wild garden settings.
Silky Dogwood (Bare Root) Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌱 Variety | Bare Root |
| 🌿 Botanical Name | Cornus amomum |
| 🏷️ Common Names | Silky Dogwood, Swamp Dogwood |
| 🌳 Mature Height | 6–10 feet |
| 🌐 Mature Width | 6–10 feet |
| 📈 Growth Rate | Fast (2–3 feet per year) |
| ⏳ Lifespan | 25–40 years |
| 🧊 USDA Zones | 4–8 |
| ☀️ Sun Preference | Full sun to partial shade (best flowering in full sun) |
| 🧱 Soil Type | Moist to wet loam, clay, or sandy soils |
| ⚖️ Soil pH | Slightly acidic to neutral (5.5–7.0) |
| 💧 Water Needs | Moderate to high; tolerates standing water |
| 🌸 Flower Color | Creamy white; blooms in late spring to early summer |
| 🫐 Fruit Color | Clusters of pale blue berries ripen in late summer |
| 🐝 Pollination | Attracts bees, butterflies, birds, and small mammals |
| 🌿 Growth Habit | Dense, rounded, suckering shrub |
| ↔️ Spacing | 6–10 ft apart for mass plantings or borders |
| 🏡 Landscape Uses | Rain gardens, wildlife plantings, wetland borders, hedgerows |
| 🧹 Maintenance Level | Low to moderate |
Environmental Benefits
🌼 Provides nectar for pollinators and berries for birds
🌧️ Excellent for stormwater retention and erosion control
🌿 Naturalizes easily for habitat restoration and reforestation projects
🪶 Supports songbirds and native wildlife year-round
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| 🌿 Thrives in wet soils and low-lying areas | 🌱 May spread by suckers; not ideal for tight formal beds |
| 🐦 Attracts a wide range of birds and beneficial insects | ✂️ Pruning may be needed to maintain shape or size |
| 🍃 Beautiful red stems add winter color | 💧 Needs regular moisture; drought-intolerant when young |
| 🌱 Fast growth and dense habit great for screening | 🪵 Can be too vigorous for small-scale plantings |
| 🏞️ Ideal for restoration and native gardens | ❄️ May leaf out later in spring in colder zones |
Planting & Care Guide
🛁 Soak bare roots for 6–12 hours before planting
🕳️ Dig a hole 2× wider than the root spread; keep crown level with the soil
🌾 Mulch 2–3 inches deep to retain moisture and suppress weeds
💦 Water regularly in the first growing season; maintain moisture in hot weather
✂️ Prune in late winter to shape and rejuvenate; remove dead stems as needed
🧪 Fertilize sparingly in early spring with compost or low-nitrogen shrub food
The Silky Dogwood is a native powerhouse that brings beauty, structure, and wildlife support to rain gardens, streambanks, and natural landscapes. Whether you're creating a wildlife corridor, controlling erosion, or simply planting with purpose, this fast-growing shrub is a reliable and resilient performer.
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