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Bunchberry

Cornus canadensis
Edible value3Medicinal value4Other uses6
Shrub2.1×0.3 mzone 2–6partial shade

Will it grow where I live?

Bunchberry is hardy to zone 2 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 2 upwards. It needs real winter cold and struggles in the mildest sites (zone 8 and warmer). It prefers cool summers and suffers in hot, dry lowlands.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family
Cornaceae
Habit
Shrub
Height
2.1 m
Spread
0.3 m
Growth
very slow
Lifespan
15 years
First yield
after 2 years
Hardiness
zone 2–6
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Soil
Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay
Soil moisture
semi-dry – very moist
pH
4.5 – 6
evergreen

Flowering & harvest

J F M A M J J A S O N D
Flowering

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible3 of 10
Medicinal4 of 10
Other uses6 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Bunchberry: how big does it get?

Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) grows as a Shrub and reaches roughly 2.1 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 0.3 m. Growth is very slow.

Bunchberry: what site does it need?

Bunchberry tolerates partial shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 4.5 and 6.

Bunchberry: is it hardy?

Bunchberry is listed as hardy in zone 2–6 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Bunchberry: will it grow in Central Europe?

Bunchberry is hardy to zone 2 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 2 upwards. It needs real winter cold and struggles in the mildest sites (zone 8 and warmer). It prefers cool summers and suffers in hot, dry lowlands.

Bunchberry: when does it flower?

In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate it flowers from May to June.

Bunchberry: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Bunchberry. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Bunchberry: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 3/10, Medicinal 4/10, Other uses 6/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

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