A blue-fruiting member of the Dogwood family, Cornus amomum, also known as the Silky Dogwood, is a native deciduous shrub that produces showy, flat-topped cymes of creamy-white blooms in from May to June that are visited by pollinators such as specialized bee species in the Andrena genus as well as butterflies like the Spring and Summer Azure butterflies that use this plant both as a larval and nectar host. At the end of the summer and into the early fall, from August to September, the flowers are replaced by attractive clusters of somewhat holographic-looking blue drupes that darken in color as they age. The drupes, which resemble whitish-bluish berries, are a wonderful resource for songbirds and game birds alike, as well as mammals ranging from chipmunks to white-tailed deer. This native workhorse is called Silky Dogwood in reference to the delicate covering of short, stiff hairs on the upper and undersides of the leaves as well as those that can be found on dormant stems. During the growing season, young twigs and branches range from red to purple to a robust green, finally aging to a warm brown, enveloping the plant in subtle color throughout much of the growing season. This native shrub can be grown in virtually any condition it sets its roots into: Cornus amomum is particularly resistant to dry, hot conditions and soil compaction, making it a suitable selection for difficult urban sites and areas that are prone to drought. Alternatively, it can also handle wet soils and is helpful in combating erosion, making it useful in streambank restoration and restoration projects with iffy conditions. It’ll be hard to say who’ll fall in love with Silky Dogwood faster: the homeowner who sees it change throughout each season, or the local animals lurking nearby and eagerly awaiting nectar and fruit!

• Category: Woody Ornamentals
• Hardiness Zone: 5
• Height: 8 Feet
• Spread: 8 Feet
• Bloom Color: White, Ivory/Buff