Canadian Dwarf Cornel Cornus canadensis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Chamaepericlymenum canadense
- Phonetic Spelling
- KOR-nus ka-na-DEN-sis
- Description
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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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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).
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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
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are about 10 inches tall, slender, and woody at the base.
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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