How to Grow Silky Dogwood
Silky Dogwood is a popular garden shrub found in many locations across the U.S. The plant especially flourishes in states that have coarse, moist soil, such as the Great Lakes states and the eastern coast. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the silky dogwood is used for "... farmstead windbreaks and wildlife borders. It is also being used with willows for streambank protection ... fish and wildlife habitat improvement, slope stabilization, borders, and as ornamental." Because of the various uses, many people are following fairly easy growing steps to introduce the Silky Dogwood into their landscapes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Silky Dogwood (shrub or bare bulb)
- Garden rake or hoe
- Small shovel
- Watering can
- Landscape fence or stones (optional)
Instructions
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1
Choose a spot in your garden where you want to grow the Silky Dogwood, and thoroughly clear the area (by hand or hoe) of all weeds. The area needs to be completely cleaned before planting the Dogwood, otherwise weeds will overtake it early.
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2
Dig holes just deep enough to enclose the base of the plant. If you are starting with bare roots, make sure that the hole is at least 2 to 3 inches below the soil surface to make room for the plant's extensive root system.
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3
Space the plants 5 to 6 feet apart, in an even row. According to the USDA, if you want to plant a cluster of Dogwoods, you should do so in 8 by 10 feet or 10 by 10 feet of total area. That would mean you could plant about two Dogwoods across and two Dogwoods down, forming a large square. Repeat this spacing for as many Dogwood that you want to plant in the spacing cluster.
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4
Water your plants or roots immediately after planting. Continue to water any time the soil loses its moisture. This will depend on the location of your landscape, but Silky Dogwoods do not survive in dry landscapes, so frequent watering is necessary.
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Enclose the area of your plants with a small fence or landscape rocks. Because it takes several years for the plants' root system to fully incorporate into the soil, it is important to protect the plant from grazing animals.
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Trim all dead leaves from the shrub with garden shears or by hand as you notice them. If you have planted several Silky Dogwoods and one shrub dies, remove it from the soil and wait until the following spring to plant a new one in its place.
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Tips & Warnings
Plant Silky Dogwoods in early spring after frost is gone.
