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| ## silky dogwood {#silky-dogwood .Title-Header}                       |
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| *Cornus amomum* Mill.                                                 |
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| Plant Symbol = COAM2                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### ![Color image of Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum)](media/image2.jpeg){width="1.8925196850393702in" height="3.1409448818897636in"}

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##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

*Swida amomum* (P. Mill.) Small

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

The primary use of this species is for field and farmstead windbreaks
and wildlife borders. It is also being used with willows for streambank
protection. Other beneficial uses are for fish and wildlife habitat
improvement, slope stabilization, borders, and as an ornamental.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Silky dogwood is a large shrub, often 6-10 feet in height. The growth
habit is upright rounded, but where stems are in contact with the
ground, roots are formed. This behavior creates thickets. Young dogwoods
have bright red stems in the fall, winter and early spring, which turn
reddish-brown in the summer. As the shrub matures, the stems turn
reddish-brown year-round and later gray. Silky and redosier dogwood,
though very similar, can be distinguished by their pith and fruit color.
Silky dogwood has a brown pith in 1-2 year old stems, dark green ovate
leaves, yellowish-white flowers which bloom in mid-June, and bluish
colored fruit which matures in September. Redosier dogwood has a white
pith, dark green ovate leaves, white flowers, and whitish colored fruit.
There are approximately 12,000 seeds per pound.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Silky dogwood is adapted from Michigan and Wisconsin to Maine and south
to Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. It has done exceptionally well in
the Lake states, but poorly outside it's natural range. It performs best
in soils that are moist, somewhat poorly drained, moderately acidic to
neutral, and in areas that have medium to coarse soils. It is highly
tolerant of shade but not of droughty conditions.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

*Windbreaks*: The site must be prepared by reducing weed competition. If
equipment can be used, plow or disc the site first. If equipment cannot
be used, clear sod from a one foot square area and plant as soon as
frost is gone in the Spring. For bare root plants, holes should be dug
deep enough to accommodate the entire root system. Space plants 5-6 feet
apart in a row. If planting in a cluster, 8x10 or 10x10 foot spacing is
advisable.

*Streambank stabilization*: Steep slopes must first be graded. The slope
should be 1:1 or flatter. Any trees

considered unstable should be removed. One year old rooted cuttings
should be used for planting. Plant in early spring, preferably before
May. Do not plant after June 1. Plant the cuttings two feet apart for
streambank erosion control, four to six feet apart for wildlife habitat.
Establishment with other species, such as willow and other riparian
species, is a good practice. On sites with banks that may become dry
over the summer, utilize silky dogwood next to the water, with

willows above. Immediately after planting, grasses and legumes may be
planted to provide initial stabilization. After 2 or 3 years the
dogwoods will become effective. Silky dogwood is vulnerable to livestock
browsing. In order to ensure survival, fencing must be incorporated into
the plan. Rooted hardwood cuttings are taken in January, allowed to
develop callus in refrigerated storage, and planted in mid-May in well
drained soil 2 inches apart. The cuttings should be 1/4-1/2 inch in
diameter and 9 to 12 inches long. They should be planted with
approximately 2 inches exposed above ground level.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

The planted areas should be examined each spring after the major runoff
period has ended. Areas where vegetation has been destroyed must be
immediately replaced with new plants. If any mechanical measures are
being used to prevent erosion, they must also be maintained to prevent
any more damage.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

'Indigo' silky dogwood has few problems with disease or insect pests.
Webworm and scurfy scale have been observed. There has been some problem
with cicadas stinging the stems. Lesions and cankers may also occur.
However, these are not pathogenic and are thought to just be the tree\'s
reaction to injury.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

'Indigo' (MI) silky dogwood was released in 1982 from the Rose Lake,
Michigan Plant Materials Center in cooperation with the MI Department of
Natural Resources.

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##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Northeast Plant Materials Program

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##### Edited: 01Feb2002 JLK; 25may06jsp {#edited-01feb2002-jlk-25may06jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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