Cornus amomum

Silky Dogwood is a hardy, spreading shrub that grows in moist habitats, mostly by stream banks and wet lowlands in the eastern U.S. While attractive, its ability to draw wildlife to it is also a very strong attribute. It is a medium-size shrub, growing up to ten feet tall and wide, adaptable to a wide range of sun, water and soil conditions. It will colonize from runners, if allowed to, and low branches touching the soil can even root in. The young stems are reddish and turn gray as they mature. Leaves are single, opposite, ovate, pointed, with the curved veins typical of the genus. Two-inch, flat-topped clusters of small, white flowers bloom in May and June followed by dainty indigo-colored fruit in September. Silky Dogwood is an excellent choice for a moist, naturalized area close to windows or frequently visited sites as it attracts a very broad range of birds to feed on its caterpillars in summer and its fruit in fall.