Silky Dogwood — Cornus amomum

(syn. Swida amomum; blue-fruited dogwood)

Overview: Rugged, multi-stemmed shrub prized for creamy white spring bloom, clusters of porcelain-blue fruit, and dense thicket-forming habit for screening and habitat. Stems are subtly silky-hairy (name origin).

Size & habit: Typically 6–10′ tall × 6–10′ wide; upright-oval to rounded; suckering to form colonies.

Growth rate: Fast.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–8.

Light: Full sun to part shade (best bloom/fruit in full sun).

Soil & water: Highly adaptable; prefers moist to wet, well-drained soils; tolerates clay, sand, and brief flooding. pH flexible.

Stems, leaves, flowers & fruit:

• Stems: Purplish to red-brown new growth with fine silky hairs; older stems gray-brown.

• Leaves: Opposite, ovate, medium green; soft underside with visible arcuate veins; red-purple fall tint.

• Flowers: Flat-topped creamy white clusters (late spring–early summer), pollinator friendly.

• Fruit: Dense clusters of blue to blue-white drupes in late summer—high wildlife value.

Tolerance / concerns:

• Tolerant: Wet soils, wind, and urban conditions; excellent for erosion control and riparian plantings.

• Concerns: Spreads by suckers (plan space). Possible leaf spots, twig blight, cankers; scale/aphids; deer/rabbits may browse—protect young plants.

Pruning: For color and vigor, use renewal pruning: remove ⅓ of the oldest stems at the base each late winter. Can be stooled to 6–12″ for full rejuvenation (sacrifices that season’s flowers/fruit).

Landscape uses: Naturalized screens/hedges, rain gardens, shorelines and swales, slope stabilization, wildlife cover/food, and mixed shrub borders.

Spacing (on-center):

• Hedge/screen: 4–6 ft

• Naturalized mass: 5–8 ft

• Specimen clumps: allow 6–10 ft spread

Planting tip: Set the root flare at or slightly above grade; apply a 2–3″ mulch ring (off stems). Keep evenly watered the first season; thereafter, prune annually to manage size and maintain dense, youthful stems.