Tips for Growing Dwarf Cornel (Bunchberry)

Cornus suecica, C. canadensis

Dwarf cornels aka creeping dogwood are low-growing ground cover plants with the same flowers and leaves of the larger dogwood trees we know and love.

They look a bit like a branch of a flowering dogwood that fell to the ground and started growing.

These sweet plants can grow between about five to 12 inches tall and are topped with purple flowers surrounded by white bracts in late spring through early summer.

After the flowers fade, they’re followed by edible red drupes.

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Another fun fact, at least in my mind, is that these plants have some of the fastest moving flowers in the world.

When the petals burst open in half a millisecond, they move at 22 feet per second, ejecting pollen into the air.

I’ve never seen it happen myself. Usually what happens is one moment the flower is closed and then I look over and it’s opened. Just like that! But I hope to catch it happening one day!

I hope I’ve piqued your curiosity about bunchberries and you’re ready to explore what there is to know about growing these cute plants.

Here’s what we’re going to discuss:

This species is most commonly found growing in the wild in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, western and eastern Canada, and Greenland.

It’ll grow in most subarctic, northern temperate zones in the Northern Hemisphere.

That’s where many experts suspect the western bunchberry (C. x unalaschkensis) came from.

By the way, if you decide to grow one of these other similar species, they have pretty much the same growing requirements.

In spring, the glossy, ovate leaves emerge. These are followed by flowers which are made up of large white bracts with tiny purple flowers at the center.

Typically deciduous, dwarf cornels can be semi-evergreen in warmer climates.

Though this species is low-growing, the plants can’t tolerate foot traffic.

I’ll also warn you that it takes a few years for them to become established. In the early years you’ll want to keep weeds at bay as these compete for water and nutrients.

How to Grow

Let’s take a look at the cultural requirements of dwarf cornels:

Climate

This species grows in Zones 2 to 9 and can tolerate temperatures down to about -50°F. It’s not a huge fan of heat, though.

If temperatures climb over 80°F for an extended period, the plants aren’t going to be happy.

Don’t even think about trying to grow dwarf cornel in the hot, humid conditions of Georgia or Florida.

Light

The first time I planted dwarf cornels, I put them in deep, dark shade against a fence and under a tree.

They survived, but the maidenhair ferns and ivy eventually pushed them out.

When I replanted, I put them in dappled shade and they were much healthier and happier. They were able to spread and push back on the ivy and ferns.

In that case, put them somewhere with full shade in the afternoon and avoid direct sun altogether.

Soil

The soil can be anywhere from sandy to a bit of clay, but loamy, organically-rich, loose soil is best.

Dwarf cornel plants like humusy forest soil with lots of decomposing matter.

To recreate this, work in lots of well-rotted compost into the soil. This will help to enrich the soil, improve drainage and help the earth retain moisture.

The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral. If you’re using a pH test or meter, somewhere between 5.5 and 7.5 is perfect.

Water

These plants grow naturally in boggy areas, wetlands, moist forests, and other areas with plenty of water.

The soil should never be allowed to dry out completely, but you don’t want it soggy, either.

Ideally, the soil will always feel like a well wrung-out sponge. Just barely moist but not soaking wet.

Drainage is important, so while the soil should remain moist, it shouldn’t be stagnant moisture.

You just need to check the soil with your finger or use a moisture meter to determine when you need to add more water.

The soil should just start to feel dry before you add water, but it should never be allowed to dry out entirely.

Fertilizing

Before you feed any of your plants, it’s a good idea to do a soil test and amend with specific nutrients according to the results.

If you don’t want to or can’t do a soil test, use an all-purpose fertilizer in the spring and fall.

A product like Down to Earth’s All-Purpose food with its NPK balance of 4-6-2 is perfect for most shrubs and veggies.

Down to Earth All-Purpose Fertilizer

You can find it in one-, five-, and 15-pound containers at Arbico Organics.

Where to Buy

If you live in a region where this plant thrives, you can probably find it at local specialty nurseries. Keep an eye on native plant sales in your region, too!

Depending on where you live, they might have hybrids for sale that do particularly well in your neck of the woods.

Maintenance

Dwarf cornel is slow growing and can take over 10 years to mature.

In the first year or two you might wonder whether it’s going to grow at all – but as long as it keeps producing new foliage there’s nothing to worry about.

After three or four years, you’ll really see the plants grow and spread. This is when you need to start a regular maintenance routine.

You don’t need to deadhead the flowers or remove the berries. The birds and other wildlife will do that for you unless you decide to harvest the berries yourself.

Propagation

If you want to pluck the seeds out of the red fruits, you can propagate dwarf cornel from seed.

Learn the full details of how to propagate dogwoods from seed here.

From Cuttings

Dogwoods in general are easy to start from cuttings. Here’s how:

1. In the spring, look for a branch about six inches long with at least two leaf nodes. Remove the cutting just below a leaf node and strip off all the leaves except one or two at the top.
2. Fill a small container with moist potting soil. Poke a hole with your finger, a pencil, or a chopstick.
3. Dip the cut end into some rooting hormone and stick the cutting into the hole you made. Firm up the soil around the stem.
4. Place the pot in an area with bright, indirect light and keep the soil moist. It might take a month or more, but eventually, if all goes well, you’ll see new growth.

At that point you can harden off the cuttings and transplant into the garden.

Transplanting

Whether you started your new dwarf cornel from seeds, purchased a plant, or propagated a cutting, you need to get it from the growing container into the ground.

Before you transplant, work in plenty of well-rotted compost to the soil.

1. Dig a hole that is about the same depth and twice as wide as the growing container.
2. Remove the plant from the container and place it into the hole.
3. Backfill in around the roots with soil, then water well. Add more soil if it settles.

You want the plant sitting at the same height that it was in the growing container.

Pests and Disease

Dogwoods can be susceptible to a number of problems, but generally those that are stressed by too much or too little sun, lack of nutrients, or drought are far more likely to encounter issues.

Let’s talk about the common pests to watch for, first.

Pests

The good news is that dwarf cornel seems to be less susceptible to many pests than some other Cornus species.

The bad news is that some of the pests that attack your plants can be highly destructive.

Borers can be a huge problem for bunchberries, while scale is a bit less dangerous but more common.

Learn about how to identify and deal with both of these and more in our guide to dogwood pests.

Disease

Given the right conditions, these plants are mostly healthy, but it can be hard to mimic the precise growing environment that they would encounter in the wild.

That means diseases are fairly common.

Our guide to common dogwood diseases covers what you need to keep an eye out for.

Good Things Come in Small Packages

Dwarf cornel dogwood makes me happy, and I’m not the only one. Pollinators love these plants and you can do your bit to support native beneficial insects by growing them.

And when the berries form, the birds will be delighted!

Have you grown dwarf cornel or other dogwoods? Tell us about your experiences or challenges in the comments section below.

And for more information about growing dogwoods, add these guides to your reading list next: