How to Plant and Grow Bunchberry

A North American native, bunchberry is a charming shrubby groundcover with multi-season interest. In spring, flowers, surrounded by showy white bracts, erupt over glossy green foliage. Its rich green leaves are similar to the flowering dogwood tree but smaller. In late summer and early fall, keep your eyes open for the bright red berries (which attract birds). The display doesn’t stop until autumn when bunchberry’s lustrous leaves turn pleasing shades of red to purple. Reaching only 8 inches in height or less, bunchberry is low-growing and spreads at a moderate pace by underground rhizomes. It does not withstand heavy foot traffic.

Some botanists have reclassified this dogwood relative to be in its own family, so you may also see it referred to under the scientific name Chamaepericlymenum canadense.

Where to Plant Bunchberry

Plant bunchberry in a location where it gets partial to full shade and the soil is rich, moist, and slightly acidic to neutral.

An ideal choice for woodland gardens, bunchberry grows beautifully in dappled shade with ferns, woodland phlox, and other native plants. Because it doesn't go dormant in summer, it's a natural partner for ephemeral perennials such as snowdrops, and crocus. You can also grow easy-care bunchberry in traditional shade gardens with non-native plants such as hellebore, bleeding heart, lungwort, and astilbe. It is suitable for containers, either on its own or mixed with shade-loving annuals such as Rex begonia, fuchsia, and torenia.

How and When to Plant Bunchberry

Bunchberry can be planted in spring or fall.

Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the root ball and about the same depth. Place the plant in the hole and fill in original soil so the top of the root ball is flush with the soil. Gently tamp down the soil and water well. Keep the plant well-watered.

Space plants 12 inches apart.

Bunchberry Care Tips

Once it is established, this native groundcover requires little attention other than making sure it does not suffer from drought.

Light

Grow bunchberry in a spot with full shade, dappled shade, or afternoon shade. Avoid afternoon sun, as it can dry out the plant and cause the foliage to dry prematurely and turn brown.

Soil and Water

This woodland wildflower does best in moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8. The soil should be rich in organic matter. It benefits greatly if the soil is amended with compost or leaf litter before planting.

If the soil is not naturally moist, water as needed, especially during extended periods of dry weather. To keep the soil moist, spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of light mulch, such as pine needles, shredded wood, or cocoa hulls, around the plant. This mulch layer prevents the soil from drying out as quickly and also reduces weeds.

Temperature and Humidity

Bunchberry is native to temperate climates. It is very cold-hardy and survives winters as low as in Zone 2 but it does not fare well in hot arid summers or high humidity.

Fertilizer

If planted in rich soil, bunchberry does not need any commercial fertilizer. Instead, scatter 1 to 2 inches of organic matter such as compost over the soil after the foliage has died back in early winter.

Pruning

Pruning is not required. In the spring, removing the dead foliage to make room for new growth is optional.

Potting and Repotting Bunchberry

Choose a container that is at least 12 inches wide to give the plant room to spread. Use a rich, well-draining potting mix amended with compost. Unlike bunchberry in the landscape, potted plants need frequent watering to keep the soil moist. This leeches the nutrients from the soil so fertilizing it with a low dose of granular slow-release all-purpose fertilizer once a month during the growing season will help replenish the nutrients

While bunchberry is very winter-hardy, the roots of potted plants are insufficiently insulated against the winter cold, unlike in garden soil. To winterize the plant, either place the pot in a larger container and fill it with sand or mulch to create a planting silo or bury the pot in the ground. 

Repotting becomes necessary when roots fill the container or grow out of the drainage holes. Repot the plant to a larger pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix.

Pests and Problems

As a member of the dogwood genus (Cornus), bunchberry is susceptible to a range of diseases, including dogwood anthracnose, powdery mildew, leaf spot, canker, root rot, and leaf and twig blight. The plant is especially vulnerable when under stress, such as during periods of drought. Potential but usually not serious pests are leaf miners and scale insects.

How to Propagate Bunchberry

The easiest and fastest way to propagate bunchberry is by division in spring or early summer, either before or after it has bloomed. Identify strong, healthy growth that spreads away from the original plant. Carefully dig it up and sever the rhizomes from the original plant. Remove any dead or diseased foliage.

Plant it in a pot with rich potting soil and water regularly. Keep it out of direct sunlight. Once it has grown into a vigorous little plant, typically by early fall, you can transplant it into the landscape. This extra step—instead of planting directly in the landscape after division—is recommended because of the high moisture needs of bunchberry. It is usually easier to keep an eye on the moisture level of potted plants than in the landscape.

Bunchberry Companion Plants

Trillium

Trillium is a North American spring-blooming woodland gem cherished for its distinct solitary three-petal flowers, which give way to capsules that look like berries. The plant requires at least a couple of years or more in the growing site before blooming, a worthwhile wait. There are several trillium species with flowers sitting either directly on top of the foliage (sessile) or on a short stalk. Some have mottled foliage. Zone 4-9

Wintergreen

This perennial evergreen is a colorful groundcover year-round. The attractive leaves of wintergreen are paired with white flowers in summer and bright red berries and reddish-bronze foliage in fall. Similar to bunchberry, it hugs the ground, growing only 4 to 8 inches tall. Plant breeders have introduced several wintergreen cultivars featuring larger berries, a more pronounced fall color, and a stronger spreading habit. Zone 3-8

Dutchman's Breeches

Dutchman's breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) is a native shade garden plant. It shares many of the same characteristics as a bleeding heart but it is smaller. The flowers look like upside-down pants (or "breeches") above blue-green foliage. Zone 3-7