Bunchberry dogwood (Cornus canadensis) is a herbaceous, flowering perennial plant that grows along the ground and spreads by underground rhizomes. Bunchberry dogwood flowers bloom in the spring, followed by clusters of red berries that ripen in summer. This plant attracts birds, deer and other wildlife. It is commonly planted in gardens.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Cornus canadensis is a species of flowering plant in the dogwood family Cornaceae, native to eastern Asia and North America. Common names include Canadian dwarf cornel, Canadian bunchberry, quatre-temps, crackerberry, and creeping dogwood. Unlike its relatives, which are for the most part substantial trees and shrubs, C. canadensis is a creeping, rhizomatous perennial growing to about 20 centimeters (8 inches) tall.
Cornus canadensis is a slow-growing herbaceous perennial growing 10–20 centimetres (4–8 inches) tall, generally forming a carpet-like mat. The above-ground shoots rise from slender creeping rhizomes that are placed 2.5–7.5 cm (1–3 in) deep in the soil, and form clonal colonies under trees. The vertically produced above-ground stems are slender and unbranched. Produced near the terminal node, the leaves are shiny dark green and arranged oppositely on the stem, clustered with six leaves that often seem to be in a whorl because the internodes are compressed.
The leaves consist of two types: two larger and four smaller leaves; the smaller ones develop from the axillary buds of the larger leaves. The leaves have petioles 2 to 3 millimetres (3⁄32 to 1⁄8 in) in length and leaf blades that are obovate. The blades have entire margins and are 3.5 to 4.8 cm (1+1⁄2 to 2 in) long and 1.5 to 2.5 cm (1⁄2 to 1 in) wide, with 2–3 veins, cuneate shaped bases and abruptly acuminate apexes. In autumn, the leaves have red-tinted veins and turn completely red.
- Flowers
In late spring to midsummer, white flowers are produced that are 2 cm (25⁄32 inch) in diameter with reflexed petals that are ovate-lanceolate in shape and 1–2 cm (13⁄32–25⁄32 inch) long. The inflorescences are made up of compound terminal cymes, with large showy white bracts that resemble petals. The bracts are green when immature. The bracts are broadly ovate and 0.8 to 1.2 cm (5⁄16 to 1⁄2 inch) long and 0.5 to 1.1 cm (3⁄16 to 7⁄16 inch) wide, with 7 parallel running veins. The lower nodes on the stem have greatly reduced rudimentary leaves.
The calyx tube is obovate in shape and 1 mm long, covered with densely pubescent hairs along with grayish white appressed trichomes. Stamens are very short, being 1 mm long. The anthers are yellowish white in color, narrowly ovoid in shape. The styles are 1 mm long and glabrous. Plants are for the most part self-sterile and dependent on pollinators for sexual reproduction. Pollinators include bumblebees, solitary bees, beeflies, and syrphid flies. The fruits look like berries but are drupes.
- Pollen release
Each flower has highly elastic petals that flip backward, releasing springy filaments that are cocked underneath the petals. The filaments snap upward flinging pollen out of containers hinged to the filaments. The stamens accelerate at a rate of 24,000 m/s2. The motion, which can be triggered by pollinators, takes place in less than half a millisecond. The bunchberry has one of the fastest plant actions found so far requiring a camera capable of shooting 10,000 frames per second to catch the action.
- Fruit
The drupes are green, globose in shape, turning bright red at maturity in late summer; each fruit is 5 mm in diameter and contains typically one or two ellipsoid-ovoid shaped stones. The fruits come into season in late summer. The large seeds within are somewhat hard and crunchy.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Bunchberry dogwood prefers full sun and can grow in a slightly shaded environment. It needs 4-6 hours of sunlight per day; if it does not get enough sun, the plant will grow poorly, the branches will become lighter in color, and the number of flowers and fruit will be fewer.
Temperature
Bunchberry dogwood is widely distributed in temperate and subtropical regions and prefers cool, moist environments. It is cold hardy, tolerating temperatures as low as -20 ℃, but fears heat. Bunchberry dogwood is drought-tolerant and requires little water. However, it is necessary to ensure a basic water supply in hot summers.
Watering
Water bunchberry dogwood 1-2 times a week. In hot summer or sunny conditions, appropriately increase the watering frequency. When the plant is dormant in winter, it absorbs water at a reduced rate, so you will need to reduce the amount of watering. When watering, be careful not to spray water on the leaves, as too much water on the leaves can cause pests and diseases.
Soil
Bunchberry dogwood is very adaptable, but prefers nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. If the soil is poorly drained, improve it by mixing in some sand. It grows best in neutral or slightly acidic soil with a suitable pH of 5.5-6.6.
Fertilizing
Bunchberry dogwood does not require much fertilizer. Too much fertilization can lead to excessive growth and weaker resistance. If the soil is poor, add a decomposing organic fertilizer in spring. If you want the tree to bloom and flourish, add some potassium fertilizer. Do not apply fertilizer in the first year of planting, because it may damage the newly grown root system. You can apply fertilizer after one year of growth.
Planting Instructions
You can transplant bunchberry dogwood from a pot into a garden anytime throughout the year. If you plan to transplant a seedling with bare roots, do it at the end of fall or early spring to avoid the frost. When transplanting, the planting hole should be wide enough to allow room for the roots to grow. plant at a depth of two-thirds of the soil ball, so the covered soil is slightly above the ground, which helps drainage. Water the soil well to keep it moist after planting. You can also cover the soil surface with mulch to reduce water evaporation and keep the soil cool.
Pruning
Bunchberry dogwood does not require much pruning. You need only to cut off dead, injured branches and any parts infected with pests and disease. Prune bunchberry dogwood in late fall and winter. If you prune it in spring or summer, the plant is in its growing season and the wounds will shed a lot of sap; in late fall and winter, bunchberry dogwood enters dormancy and will not do that.
Propagation
You can propagate bunchberry dogwood using cuttings. In spring, select a vigorously growing branch and cut 15 cm from the top. Use sharp scissors to cut a 45° bevel at the bottom of the branch. Remove the lower leaves and insert the branch in moist soil. Keep the seedlings warm but out of the sun, and they will take root in 4-6 weeks.
Transplanting
The ideal season for moving bunchberry dogwood is the ‘S2’, or autumn. This allows the plant time to establish roots without strain from blooming or extreme weather. Bunchberry dogwood thrives in a location with part shade and well-drained soil. While transplanting, ensure to preserve the root ball for a successful relocation. Always remember, transplanting bunchberry dogwood is more about location and timing than methodology.
Pests and Diseases
This ground cover has no known disease or pest problems, making it a truly easy keeper.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Bunchberry dogwood is a perennial herb species that grows in whorl formations with attractive ovular leaves. This species is valued as a garden plant because it forms an attractive groundcover and grows well in woodland gardens with acidic soil. Bunchberry dogwood is also valued for its foliage, which turns from green to dark burgundy in the fall.
- Culinary uses
The fruits are edible raw but have little flavor. The pulp does not easily separate from the seeds. The berries can be cooked, strained, and combined with other fruits or used for pudding.
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