Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry)
Bunchberry, Bunchberry Dogwood, Canadian Bunchberry, Creeping Dogwood, Crackerberry, Dwarf Cornel, Pudding Berries, Pudding Berry, Chamaepericlymenum canadense, Cornella canadensis, Cornus canadensis var. dutillyi
Attractive in flower or fruit, Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry) is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial forming a carpet of conspicuously-veined, oval, glossy leaves, 1-2 in. long (2-5 cm), borne in whorls atop erect stems. Medium to dark green, the deciduous foliage turns showing wine-red to purple shades in the fall. In late spring to midsummer, a heavenly array of star-like blooms appear. They consist of four narrowly pointed white bracts which surround the center cluster of tiny yellowish-green flowers. The blossoms give way to dense clusters of edible berry-like fruits in late summer, which ripen to bright red and persist into fall, unless devoured by hungry birds. Bunchberries can be added to puddings, preserves and sauces. This dwarf species of dogwood spreads by underground stems and makes an excellent ground cover in the moist, acidic woodland garden.
- Grows up to 4-9 in. tall (10-22 cm) and 6-12 in. wide (15-30 cm).
- Performs best in full sun to part shade, in moist, acidic to neutral, well-drained soils.
- No serious insect or disease problems. Keep an eye out for horse chestnut scale. Deer and rabbit resistant.
- Great choice as a groundcover, for woodland gardens.
- Propagate by seed or division. Sow seeds in fall or provide cold stratification. Plants will not flower until the third year.
- Native to Eastern Asia, Greenland, northern North America.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 7 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Cornus - Dogwoods |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 4" – 9" (10cm – 22cm) |
Spread | 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, Alaska, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Southeast, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, New Mexico |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Ground Covers |
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 7 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Cornus - Dogwoods |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 4" – 9" (10cm – 22cm) |
Spread | 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, Alaska, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Southeast, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, New Mexico |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Ground Covers |