CORNUS CANADENSIS-Dogwood

Bunchberry »  Beautiful groundcover »  White, four-bracted flowers face upwards »  Red berries in fall »  Attracts birds and other wildlife »  A dependable northern native »  In Alaska it is an important forage plant for deer and moose Category:Shrub Hardiness Zone:3-8 Height:6-9 in Spread:2-3 ft Bloom Color:White Shades Bunchberry is a low-growing perennial that spreads by rhizomes that creep just under the soil surface. The four white "petals" are actually not part of the flower at all they are white bracts. The actual flowers are greenish and held in the center of the bracts. In late summer clusters of vivid red berries replace the flowers for a second season of interest. Birds such as spruce grouse and warbling vireo eat these berries and help to distribute the seeds. Bunchberry can be found growing throughout the northern half of North America, including most of Canada. It is often found in large colonies in areas of dappled shade or along the woods edge.