Bunchberry Dogwood

(Cornus canadensis)

Bunchberry Dogwood (Cornus canadensis)

Kieran Wood

CC BY 4.0

Image By: Kieran Wood

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Cornus canadensis, commonly known as Bunchberry Dogwood, is a slow-growing shrubby herbaceous perennial native to cool temperate forests, boreal forests, and mountainous regions of subarctic North America, Far East Asia, and Japan. It typically grows 10–20 cm tall and forms a dense, carpet-like mat. The above-ground shoots arise from slender creeping rhizomes that are 2.5–7.5 cm deep in the soil, enabling the plant to form clonal colonies, often as an understory plant beneath trees. The stems are slender, unbranched, and bear simple, ovate leaves. In the fall, the foliage becomes particularly attractive as the leaves display red-tinted veins before turning completely red. From late spring to midsummer, Bunchberry Dogwood produces 2 cm diameter white flowers, each surrounded by four large, showy white bracts that resemble petals and turn green when immature. Following flowering, it bears green, globose drupes that ripen to a bright red in late summer, each fruit being 5 mm in diameter with one or two ellipsoid-ovoid stones inside.

Bunchberry Dogwood is valued for its ornamental groundcover qualities, especially in shaded garden areas. Its showy flowers and colorful fall foliage add aesthetic appeal, while the red berries can provide a food source for wildlife. It is commonly used in woodland gardens, shade gardens, and naturalized areas. This plant thrives in moist, acidic soils and requires consistent moisture. It is best grown in part shade, although it can tolerate full shade, and prefers soils with medium drainage. Gardeners should be aware that it can be susceptible to leaf spot diseases and needs good air circulation to minimize these issues.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb, Shrub
Height: 0.3-0.8 feet
Width: 0.5-1 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Part Shade
Water: Medium, High
Drainage: Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Cool temperate forests, boreal forests, and mountainous regions of subarctic North America, Far East Asia, and Japan

Other Names

Common Names: Canadian Bunchberry , Bunchberry , Crackerberry , Creeping Dogwood , Pudding-Berry , Dwarf Cornel , Canada Bunchberry , Canadian Dwarf Cornel , Cornel-Berry , Dwarf Dogwood

Scientific Names: Cornus canadensis , Chamaepericlymenum canadense , Cornus canadensis subsp. canadensis , Cornus canadensis f. canadensis , Cornus canadensis subsp. pristina , Cornus canadensis f. connatifolia , Cornus canadensis f. medeoloides , Cornus canadensis var. dutillyi , Cornella canadensis , Cornus canadensis f. dutillyi

GBIF Accepted Name: Cornus canadensis L.