Silky Dogwood
Cornus amomum
- Native to:
- United States, Virgin Islands
iNaturalist: © tsn (iNaturalist #32099420)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cornaceae
- Genus:
- Cornus
- Species:
- Cornus amomum
- USDA Symbol:
- COAM2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- red, purple
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moist, well-drained loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetlands and along streams.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 60-90 days to break dormancy.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are treated and sown in early October with a Love seeder set at 3rd gear at 9 setting into prepared field beds.
Establishment: Seeds are purchased from local people who collect within a 50 mile radius of the nursery. Fruits are one seeded drupes that are white to blue at maturity. Fruits are typically 4 to 7 mm (0.15 to 0.27 in) in diameter, white or bluish tinged, and mature from August to October. Each fruit contains a single bony stone that contains 1 or 2 seeds. Mature seeds are round, grey to light brown in color. Silky dogwood is found from The Upper Midwestern and New England states south to Mississippi to Florida and west to Iowa and Missouri. Seed sources are from south central Missouri.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)