Bunchberry
Cornus x unalaschkensis
Family: Cornaceae
What it is like
Cornus x unalaschkensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 6in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.2
Where it is found
Not known
Northern N. America - Alaska, Newfoundland.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit can be dried for later use. A small berry about 6mm in diameter. The fruit is rich in pectin.
Pectin: a substance that is used to thicken jams etc and as a culture medium in laboratories.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
The following use is for the closely related C. suecica, but it almost certainly also applies to this plant: The fruit is rich in pectin. A good ground-cover plant, succeeding under trees and shrubs.
Pectin: A substance that is used to thicken jams etc and as a culture medium in laboratories.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
How it is grown
Requires a moist peaty acid sandy soil. This is a naturally occurring hybrid, C. canadensis x C. suecica, and is intermediate in characteristics between the parents.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more. Prick out the seedlings of cold-frame sown seeds into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow the plants on for their first winter in a greenhouse, planting out in the spring after the last expected frosts. This species is a hybrid and so might not breed true from seed. Division in spring. This plant can be a bit temperamental when it is being divided. We have found it best to tease out small divisions from the sides of the clump, to avoid the need to disturb the main clump by digging it up. Try to ensure that each division has already produced some roots. Pot them up in light shade in a greenhouse and make sure that they are not allowed to become dry. Once they are rooting and growing away well, which might take 12 months, they can be planted out into their permanent positions.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist