{"product_id":"bunchberry","title":"Bunchberry","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Minnesota-Native Woodland Carpet With Four Seasons of Charm\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBunchberry (\u003cem\u003eCornus canadensis\u003c\/em\u003e) is a beloved Minnesota-native groundcover — a miniature, ground-hugging dogwood that carpets the cool, shaded forest floor. Whorls of crisp green leaves are topped with classic white dogwood bracts in late spring, followed by clusters of bright red berries that feed birds in late summer, then burgundy-red fall foliage. Slow but enchanting, it brings authentic Northwoods character to shaded, acidic woodland gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and the wooded suburbs of the Twin Cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBunchberry Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCornus canadensis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–8 in. tall, spreading slowly as a groundcover\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–6 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart shade to full shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate spring (white bracts), red berries late summer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite dogwood bracts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCool, moist, acidic, humus-rich woodland soil; amend with peat and leaf mold\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExtremely hardy — reliable well below -30°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed by deer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative Status\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinnesota native (Northwoods forest floor)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative woodland groundcover:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carpets the cool, shaded, acidic ground beneath pines, oaks, and birches. Space 8–12 inches apart and be patient as it knits in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFour-season interest and wildlife:\u003c\/strong\u003e White spring bracts, red summer berries for birds, and burgundy fall color. Pair with ferns, wild ginger, and native woodland wildflowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) into cool, moist, acidic, shaded soil. Keep consistently moist — bunchberry resents heat and drying out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Bunchberry\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBunchberry is particular: it needs cool, acidic, humus-rich soil. Dig in plenty of peat moss and composted leaf litter, set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch with shredded leaves or pine needles. Space 8–12 inches apart. Avoid hot, dry, or alkaline sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Bunchberry\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the soil consistently moist and cool — water every 1–3 days in dry weather and never let it bake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Continue steady moisture in shade; it will not tolerate hot, dry soil. A cool, north-facing or canopy-shaded site is ideal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it native to Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — bunchberry is a true Minnesota native of the Northwoods forest floor, supporting birds and pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it hard to establish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt can be slow and particular — it demands cool, moist, acidic, shaded soil. Match those conditions and it rewards you with a beautiful, long-lived carpet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEasily — it's hardy to zone 2, far colder than the Twin Cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Are the berries edible?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe red berries are edible but bland; they're mainly valuable as food for birds and wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum):\u003c\/strong\u003e A delicate native fern for the same cool shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWild Ginger (Asarum):\u003c\/strong\u003e A native woodland groundcover companion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum):\u003c\/strong\u003e A fragrant shade groundcover for woodland beds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54315444764977,"sku":null,"price":20.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/bunchberry.jpg?v=1779747457","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/bunchberry","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}