Silky Dogwood

Latin Name: Cornus amomum

Facts about Silky Dogwood:

• Deciduous Shrub

• Height: Up to 3 m tall Leaves:

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

• Looks Like:

  • Opposite, oval Fruit: small, blue drupe

  • Red-purple bark on twigs

  • Branches may bend down and root in wet soil

  • Silky dogwood has a rounded shape and multi-stemmed growth habit, and is always found as a shrub rather than tree

• Prefers moist to wet soils, but adapts readily to dry soil conditions

Biodiversity Benefits:

• White blossoms appear in early spring. Blue-black fruits of the silky dogwood mature in mid-summer and are consumed by birds, squirrels, and other woodland mammals. The colourful fruits also make it an attractive ornamental addition in wildlife gardens. Pruning is commonly necessary to keep a desirable shape.

• Silky dogwood has a fast growth rate, typically growing about 2 feet per year, and it transplants well. In gardens, it is ideal for hedging. Commonly found in wetland areas, such as marshes, swamps and along streams, it is also good for erosion control.

Historical Use:

• It has been used for some medicinal purposes in certain cases

• The dried root-bark has astringent properties

• The bark has been used as a poultice on external ulcers

• Fruits have been used as a bitter digestive tonic