Bunchberry Cornus canadensis

This plant with its bright green leaves and wonderful bright red berries is one that will bring delight to many gardens. This plant makes a delightful groundcover and with its flowers looking up it is a delight for many gardens. and gardeners alike.  By placing it as a ground cover it is as though you have spread out a beautiful patchwork with all its beauty. It is sure going to be a cover that you will be proud to see and share for many years to come.

The genus name, Cornus, is from the Latin word cornu, which means "horn." This is in reference to the hardness of the wood. The species name, canadensis, references the native habitat of Canada.

Low-growing deciduous shrubby groundcover with leaves and flowers similar to the familiar Cornus florida dogwood tree but smaller. Native to mixed forests in Canada and the northern US, in the Appalachians to Virginia, it grows from spreading rhizomes. Bright red berries in late summer persist into fall.

The best performance is in cool to cold climates in the shade of trees and shrubs. Plants generally do not perform well in the hot summer conditions found in the central to southern parts of the U.S. south of USDA Zone 6. Intolerant of foot traffic. They can be difficult to establish. They may be propagated by seeds, creeping rhizomes, or stem cuttings. 

Seasons of Interest:

   Foliage: Fall color    Bloom: Spring, late to Summer, early   Fruit: Summer-Fall, red berries  

Wildlife Value: Fruits are attractive to birds and plants provide nesting sites.  Members of the genus Cornus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) Integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia.

Quick ID HInts:

• deciduous ground cover and low-growing shrub
• dark green leaves, 1 to 2 inches long, reddish-purple fall color
• tiny greenish-umbel surrounded four petal-white bracts appear in late spring
• bright red berries ripen in August

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Leaf miner and scale are less serious potential insect pests. When stressed, is susceptible to a large number of disease problems, the most serious is dogwood anthracnose. Other diseases include powdery mildew, leaf spot, canker, root rot, and leaf & twig blight. It can also become vulnerable to borers. 

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.