Cornus canadensis

Also Known As

Bunchberry
Creeping Dogwood

Plant type

perennial, groundcover

size

H: 6"-8"
W: 2'-3'

planting zones

3a-8b

More Options

Cornus canadensis plant details

Cornus canadensis is a low-growing broadleaf deciduous perennial groundcover with green foliage. In spring white flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Features glossy texture. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture water. Does well in acidic, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cornus canadensis

Plant type: perennial groundcover
Plant family: cornaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 6 IN - 8 IN - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring
Uses: clumping, fall color, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cornus canadensis

USDA Zones: 3a - 8b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: acidic, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Cornus canadensis, or bunchberry, is an excellent native ground cover for part shade and loose humusy, gritty soils. It produces lovely white dogwood flowers followed by long-lasting clusters of red berries. Fall foliage becomes nicely tinted with red and burgundy. In the wild, plants grow in thin or rocky soils or in the duff layer beneath coniferous trees and other shrubs. Roots often travel just below the surface of decaying organic matter. Use this to guide your planting location. Avoid overly heavy garden soils such as those amended with compost. Deer resistant. A Canadian native in every province and territory!

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

A low-growing, clump-forming woodland beauty; showy white "dogwood" flowers, bright scarlet fruits and red fall color. PSh/M/woodland

By: Forestfarm

The bunchberry is native to our Northwest woods. This groundcover wants to grow in rotting wood or forest duff. The 6 inch plant makes a small scale ground cover with green leaves and white brachts in late spring. Rarely offered. Nice plants in containers.

By: Gossler Farms

A creeping groundcover with always charming appeal, but sometimes difficult to establish. Delicate white flowers, followed by clusters of red berries and maroon fall leaf color. Plugs such as these help to assure success when they are planted in an acidic, shaded woodland soil.

By: Heritage Seedlings

This Northwoods favorite is known for its trademark set of four beautifully textured leaves with bright red berries suspended above. Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) looks great when planted individually or in small groups of 3, 5 or 7. Mix with other low growing flowers and sedges so it can show off its berries in late summer. Requires a well-drained, acid soil with plenty of humus for best results. Not recommended for southern gardens warmer than Zone 5. Hardy to Zones 3 - 5.

By: Prairie Nursery

Blooms: spring-summer, white, red fruit/ semievergreen whorled foliage Zone 3-9. 3"-8", PNW, part shade-shade, moist, well drained

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

A distinctive deciduous groundcover that is native to cool, damp woods in many parts of North America. It bears tiny white dogwood flowers above a set of four small dogwood leaves in spring and summer. The flowers are succeeded by red berries. Purplish-red fall color. Excellent at the feet of acid-loving evergreens such as azaleas and rhododendrons. AGM winner.