- Full Shade to Partial Sun (0 - 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 6 - 9 Inches
- Mature Spread 6 - 9 Inches
- Growing Zones 3 - 8
Bunchberry, or Cornus Canadensis, is stunning perennial dogwood that makes a beautiful, natural groundcover. Creeping rootstock shoots up stems from 6 to 9 inches tall, covered in whorls of vivid green, oval leaves that turn golden yellow in the fall. In late spring and early summer the stems support compact bunches of small green flowers surrounded by four oval, snow-white bracts. Clusters of tiny wine-red fruit follow in late summer to early fall. They have a spread of 2 to 3 feet.
Native to Northern California and Alaska, Bunchberry can be found in the wild under trees and near streams and lakes. It is an important forage plant for local wildlife, specifically deer and moose in Alaska and Western Canada, and its berries attract songbirds who spread Bunchberry seeds. Some people like to eat bunchberries, but others consider them tasteless and dry.
Bunchberry Care
Bunchberries grow well in moist, shady areas and prefer partial or full shade. They can tolerate a range of light conditions, but may burn in hot afternoon sun. The ideal soil for Bunchberry is acidic, with generous quantities of organic matter. Bunchberries may not flower for 2 to 3 years after they are propagated. They require above average water to thrive.
Bunchberry Spacing
You should plant your Bunchberries about 1 ft apart and give them lots of room to spread. They are perfect in areas with low-clearance and lots of shade. They look especially stunning in rustic, woodsy gardens, and pair well with rhododendrons, ferns, and lilies. Their native habitat is thickets, swamps, and damp, mixed woods.
Bunchberry Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
Plant Type: Bushes |
Light Exposure: Full Shade to Partial Sun (0 - 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 6 - 9 Inches |
Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet |
Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet |
Habit: Spreading |
Flower Color(s): White |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer, Rabbit |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: Birds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Groundcovers, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Native to North America |
Brand: |
Common Name: Bunchberry |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: CORNUS CANADENSIS |
- SKU:
- 1231002185-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

#5 Pot
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

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Arrival Guarantee
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Free 1-Year Plant Warranty
All bushes, perennials & trees come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.