Silky Dogwood
Cornus obliqua
Last reviewed: September 2026
Cornus obliqua, or silky dogwood, is a deciduous shrub that blooms in May and June with clusters of white flowers and grows well in moist to wet soils along streambanks and wetland edges.
Toxicity unknown
Silky Dogwood (Cornus obliqua) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
72"–240" H × 72"–240" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AR, CT, IA, IL and 24 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles, flies
Before you buy
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Silky dogwood is a medium to large native shrub that produces clusters of small white flowers in late spring and early summer. It develops attractive fall color and blue-white berries, making it a reliable choice for naturalized areas and wildlife gardens.
Growing Silky Dogwood
Grow Silky Dogwood in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 72 to 240 inches tall and spread 72 to 240 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Silky Dogwood takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Very large mature size may appear overgrown
- Spreads by suckers creating informal colonies
- Can look sparse or leggy in winter
Wildlife value
The flowers attract bees, beetles, and flies during blooming season. Birds feed on the berries in fall, and the dense branching provides nesting sites for various species.
Common questions
- What light and soil conditions does silky dogwood need?
- Silky dogwood does best in part sun with medium to wet, consistently moist soil, which mirrors the streambanks and low-lying areas where it is often found growing.
- When does silky dogwood bloom?
- Silky dogwood produces its small white flower clusters in May and June.
- What insects are attracted to silky dogwood flowers?
- The flowers draw bees, beetles, and flies, which visit the blooms for pollen and nectar in late spring.
- How is silky dogwood typically used in a landscape?
- Because it tolerates wet, poorly drained soil, silky dogwood is commonly planted along stream edges, ponds, and low spots to help stabilize soil and provide dense shrub cover.
- Is Silky Dogwood HOA-friendly?
- Silky Dogwood takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Silky Dogwood? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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