Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry)

Attractive in flower or fruit, Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry) is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial forming a carpet of conspicuously-veined, oval, glossy leaves, 1-2 in. long (2-5 cm), borne in whorls atop erect stems. Medium to dark green, the deciduous foliage turns showing wine-red to purple shades in the fall. In late spring to midsummer, a heavenly array of star-like blooms appear. They consist of four narrowly pointed white bracts which surround the center cluster of tiny yellowish-green flowers. The blossoms give way to dense clusters of edible berry-like fruits in late summer, which ripen to bright red and persist into fall, unless devoured by hungry birds. Bunchberries can be added to puddings, preserves and sauces. This dwarf species of dogwood spreads by underground stems and makes an excellent ground cover in the moist, acidic woodland garden.

• Grows up to 4-9 in. tall (10-22 cm) and 6-12 in. wide (15-30 cm).
• Performs best in full sun to part shade, in moist, acidic to neutral, well-drained soils.
• No serious insect or disease problems. Keep an eye out for horse chestnut scale. Deer and rabbit resistant.
• Great choice as a groundcover, for woodland gardens.
• Propagate by seed or division. Sow seeds in fall or provide cold stratification. Plants will not flower until the third year.
• Native to Eastern Asia, Greenland, northern North America.