Silky Dogwood
Cornus amomum
A shrub for the water's edge: white spring flowers, blue-black berries for migrating birds, reddish-purple winter stems. Knits stream banks together.
Typically 1 quart–3 gal · $17–$85 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Sep 248 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Sep 258 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Sep 268 AM – 2 PM
The right plant for wet spots and stream banks, with spring flowers for pollinators, summer berries for birds, and glowing winter stems.
Silky dogwood thrives at the water's edge: along streams, pond banks, and in seasonally flooded low spots where few shrubs can compete. In spring, flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers open and attract a steady stream of native bees and butterflies. By late summer, the flowers have ripened into clusters of blue-black berries that migrating birds strip almost as fast as they appear. The stems show a beautiful reddish-purple color through winter, especially on young growth, which lights up in low winter sun. It spreads by root suckers to form thickets that stabilize stream banks and filter runoff, exactly what riparian edges need.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown silky dogwood propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Average
- Mature size
- 5–10 ft · 6–10 ft wide
- Bloom time
- Spring
- Bloom color
- White
- USDA zones
- 4–8
- Family
- Cornaceae
- Native range
- Eastern North America
Care notes for silky dogwood.
Full sun to part shade in moist to wet soil. One of the most flood-tolerant native shrubs available. Coppice (cut back hard every 2–3 years) to produce the most vivid winter stem color. Spreads by suckers. excellent for naturalizing but set boundaries if needed. No serious pests.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside silky dogwood.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Skyline Drive Package
This package celebrates the world renowned “Skyline Drive” by featuring native plant species encountered along the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.
Piedmont Rain Garden Package
For homeowners with a yard that floods when it rains, this package is your solution! The Piedmont Swale Garden Package is comprised of flood tolerant species that will thrive in wet soils.
Exceptional Patio Garden Package
The Exceptional Patio Garden Package is a low maintenance, fool proof way to guarantee an endless color show for you and your guests to enjoy all patio season long.