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Native alternative(s) for Cornus canadensis:
Epigaea repens Flowers
Galax urceolata Galax urceolata
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cornus florida Cornus florida
Viola pubescens Form
Viola striata Viola striata
Cornus canadensis has some common insect problems:
Dogwood Borer
Dogwood Twig Borer
Dogwood Sawfly
Dogwood Pest Management Calendar
Insect Pests of Dogwood in North Carolina
Cornus canadensis has some common disease problems:
Diseases of Dogwood in North Carolina

Canadian Dwarf Cornel Cornus canadensis

Previously known as:

  • Chamaepericlymenum canadense
Phonetic Spelling
KOR-nus ka-na-DEN-sis
Description

Bunchberry is a low-growing, deciduous, shrubby groundcover with leaves and flowers similar to the familiar flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) tree but smaller. Native to mixed forests in Canada and the northern US, and in the Appalachians south to Virginia, it grows from spreading rhizomes. It is a member of the dogwood family (Cornaceae). The species epithet, canadensis, references the native habitat of Canada, where it was first described.

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.

Bunchberry spreads by underground rhizomes. The leaves are opposite, and the flower clusters are surrounded by four large, showy, white bracts, just as they are in the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). The flowers are followed by bright red berries in late summer that persist into fall.  

It is suitable for a woodland garden. Intolerant of foot traffic. They can be difficult to establish. They may be propagated by seeds, creeping rhizomes, or stem cuttings. 

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 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.

 

More information on Cornus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#shrub#deciduous shrub#nectar plant#shade garden#shelter for wildlife#low maintenance#fall interest#dwarf#rabbit resistant#showy fruits#specialized bees#deer resistant#red fruits#groundcover#edible fruits#naturalizes#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#naturalized area#food source fall#bird friendly#fall color red#butterfly friendly#understory shrub#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#dry soils intolerant#perennial#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#shrub#deciduous shrub#nectar plant#shade garden#shelter for wildlife#low maintenance#fall interest#dwarf#rabbit resistant#showy fruits#specialized bees#deer resistant#red fruits#groundcover#edible fruits#naturalizes#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#naturalized area#food source fall#bird friendly#fall color red#butterfly friendly#understory shrub#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#dry soils intolerant#perennial#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cornus
    Species:
    canadensis
    Family:
    Cornaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East Russia to Japan, Subarctic America to N. & Central U.S
    Distribution:
    Zones 2-6, primarily in forest througout Northern US, south to the Appalachians
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers are attractive to pollinators and butterflies. 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.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edible fruit
    Textural
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer, Rabbits
    Edibility:
    The berries are edible. The fruits may be added to puddings, preserves, and sauces.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Bright red with good persistence on the plant until late fall unless earlier consumed by birds. Drupes are edible for humans.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Each flower consists of a tiny greenish-yellow umbel surrounded by four showy, oval, petal-like white bracts (each bract to 1” long).
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Oval to elliptic, glossy, medium to dark green leaves (1 to 2 inches long) are located near the stem tops in false whorls. Intolerant to foot traffic
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stems are about 10 inches tall, slender, and woody at the base.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits