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Shrubs

Cornus amomum

silky dogwood

A vigorous, multi-stemmed, suckering deciduous shrub with an open, rounded habit when mature. Mid to dark-green leaves appear in spring to summer, turning red to purple in the autumn and falling to reveal red-purple stems throughout the winter. Clusters of creamy-white flowers appear in spring and summer, followed by white berries which turn to blue and are attractive to birds

Synonyms

Cornus coerulea
Swida amomum

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Cornaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Suckering
Genus: Cornus can be deciduous shrubs or trees, or creeping, woody-based perennials, some with brightly coloured young stems. Tiny flowers are borne in dense clusters, sometimes with showy bracts. Many have fine autumn colour
Name status: Correct
Plant range: E N America

How to grow

Cultivation

Will grow in most soil conditions in sun or partial shade. For more information see flowering dogwood cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings, semi-ripe cuttings, or layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Pruning group 7. Remove suckers if required to prevent spread

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus

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