Alphabetical Plant Listing

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

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Cornus - Dogwoods

Guides with Cornus - Dogwoods

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