Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum) - Silky Dogwood Shrubs

Division of Forestry
2045 Morse Rd.
Building H1.
Columbus, OH 43229

Silky Dogwood represents a group of shrub Dogwoods native to Ohio (including Alternate-Leaf Dogwood, Roughleaf Dogwood, Gray Dogwood, and Bloodtwig Dogwood) that have a strongly multistemmed growth habit and are always found in nature as a shrub, rather than a tree. The vigorous growth of Silky Dogwood is optimized in moist to wet sites, but it adapts readily to dry soil conditions in fields and fencerows as well. Colorful summer fruits offer its best ornamental and wildlife asset, while its thin twigs of winter cast a reddish-purple hue to the landscape. Silky Dogwood, found throughout all of Ohio, grows to 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide under optimum conditions as a single specimen, although suckering may add to its width over time. As a member of the Dogwood Family, it is related to the many other species of Dogwoods, and distantly related to Black Tupelo.

Planting Requirements- Silky Dogwood prefers moist to wet sites in soils of various composition and pH. It adapts to dry soils, poor soils, or soils that are wet in winter and spring, and dry in summer and autumn. It is found in zones 4 to 8, in full sun to partial shade.

Potential Problems- Silky Dogwood can be infected or infested by a number of diseases and pests that frequent both the shrub and tree Dogwoods; however, this species is generally free of problems. In an urban situation, Silky Dogwood with time may become wider for its intended space than was originally intended.