Silky dogwood is a native, medium- to large-sized, deciduous shrub in the dogwood family (Cornaceae). It is native to central and the eastern part of the United States and parts of Canada and is typically found in swamp borders, wetlands, and near streams and ponds. The meaning of the specific epithet is obscure. It was said to be the common name applied to this plant in New England (but now no longer used). In classical Latin, it was the name used for an aromatic shrub. As this species is not aromatic, it is difficult to believe that New Englanders would have applied this name to the silky dogwood. The silky dogwood prefers well-drained medium to wet acidic soils. It may be grown in full sun or partial shade, and it even tolerates close to full shade. The roots need to be kept cool and moist during the summer. It is recommended that 2 to 4 inches of mulch be added to protect the plant's roots. If the shrub branches touch the ground they may form roots at the nodes. This shrub is multi-stemmed, open and rounded and may grow 6 to 12 feet tall. The leaves and twigs have silky hairs. A distinctive feature of this shrub is the dark brown pith of 1- to 2-year-old stems and dark-reddish twigs. Clusters of creamy white flowers bloom in the spring followed by blue drupes that ripen late summer. The berry-like drupes appear in drooping clusters from August to September and attract many birds. Thickets may result if the growth of the shrub is not controlled. The shrub also may be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or layering. This is a good shrub selection for moist to wet areas of the landscape. It is not overly ornamental and is somewhat wild and unkempt for placement in prominent areas. Consider the silky dogwood for moist woodlands, naturalized areas, or sites near streams/ponds. It is also effective for erosion control. Quick ID Hints: open, rounded, medium-sized shrub silky hairs on the leaves and twigs creamy white clusters of flowers in the spring drupes ripen to dark blue in late summer dark-reddish purple twigs smooth gray bark dark brown pith in 1- to 2-year-old stems Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The silky dogwood has no serious insects or disease problems. It may be susceptible to scale. Borers and leaf miners are potential pests. Leaf spot, crown canker, blights, root rot, and powdery mildew may occur. Thickets may form if the shrub is not maintained. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases. More information on Cornus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Mounding; Multi-stemmed; Open; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Undulate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are simple, opposite, and elliptical to ovate. The margins are entire. Each leaf measures from 2 to 3.5 inches long and 3/4 to 2 inches wide. The upper surface of the leaves is dark green, and the underside is a paler green. Both surfaces have short stiff hairs. The fall foliage may be green, brown, or purplish-red.
Fall color
Insignificant
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The tiny creamy-white flowers are arranged in flat-topped cymes that are up to 2.5 inches across. The individual flowers are about 3/8 inch wide and have four petals, four sepals, and four long stamens. The flower stalks have silky hairs. The blooms appear from May to June.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Blue; White
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The round drupes are 1/4 inch in diameter. They change from white to blue as they ripen. A cluster of drupes droops from greenish or reddish stalks. Displays from August to September.
The young twigs may be greenish-purple to dark reddish-purple. They are covered with fine hairs. Older branches are dark purple and eventually develop vertical brownish lenticels or pores. The pith is brown on branches over a year old.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern Central & Eastern U.S.A
Distribution
Native: Canada--Ontario and New Foundland: US--AL, CT, DE, DC, FL, IL, IN, IO, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, and WV
Wildlife value
It is the host plant for the spring/summer Azure butterflies. Butterflies nectar at its blooms. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, ruffed grouse, quail, turkey, chipmunks, black bear, foxes, white-tailed deer, skunks, and squirrels. The foliage is browsed by white-tailed deer. Members of the genus Cornus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds; Specialized Bees