Bunchberry Cornus canadensis
Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is a deciduous perennial groundcover in the Cornaceae family, native to Boreal North America and north-east Asia. It grows 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -45 °C (-49 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Bunchberry in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Bunchberry at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Cornaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 4–6 |
| Cold hardiness | About -45 °C (-49 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 2) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: berries (bland, seedy) |
| Native to | Boreal North America and north-east Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇷🇺 Russia |
Is Bunchberry toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bunchberry
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
Questions about Bunchberry
- How far apart should I plant Bunchberry?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Bunchberry need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bunchberry need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Bunchberry?
- It tolerates about -45 °C (-49 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 2.
- When does Bunchberry flower?
- From about June for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Bunchberry poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Bunchberry?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bunchberry. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- VASCAN: Database of Vascular Plants of Canada, Canadensys / Université de Montréal Biodiversity Centre
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A tiny woodland dogwood with four white bracts; its flowers fire pollen out in under a millisecond, one of the fastest plant movements known.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Flowering dogwood Cornus florida
- Kousa dogwood Cornus kousa
- Cornelian cherry Cornus mas
- Red osier dogwood Cornus sericea
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Hosta Hosta spp.
- Lamb's ear Stachys byzantina
- Stonecrop (sedum) Hylotelephium spectabile