bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
USDA zones2 to 6
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Size3 to 9 inches tall6 to 12 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Dark green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is a perennial for ground cover, shade gardens, and woodland gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 2, or down to -50°F (-46°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and average to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Deer and rabbits tend to browse other plants first. White dogwood-like flowers in spring give way to clusters of red berries, and the leaves turn wine-red in fall. The plant spreads by underground stems, so it will slowly fill a cool, damp spot.
Pairs well with Blue bead lily, Bog rosemary, and Common juniper.
Native range
Eastern Asia, Greenland, and northern North America.