Canadian Buffaloberry vs Bunchberry - TreeTime.ca

Canadian Buffaloberry vs Bunchberry

Cornus canadensis

Shepherdia canadensis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Bunchberry
Canadian Buffaloberry

The Bunchberry, or Quatre-Temps as it is commonly known in Quebec, is an excellent ornamental plant to have in your garden. With star-shaped white flowers in spring and clusters of bright red berries in the fall, this is one of the most refined and hardy groundcovers available. The foliage has ornamental value, with leaves going from a deep green in the spring and summer to a beautiful brick-red in the fall.

Bunchberry is a spreading evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. This plant is not well suited for urban areas close to streetsides, as it is quite intolerant to pollution. It is Canada’s national flower.

According to a poll done by the Master Gardeners of Ontario, it is one of the most recognizable Canadian flowers.

Its flowers grow with elastic petals and "fire" its pollen with the force of 2000-3000 times the force of gravity.

Canadian Buffalo Berry is a native deciduous shrub found throughout North America. This hardy, medium-sized shrub will tolerate poor soil conditions and produces attractive, edible–though very bitter–red fruit.

Bunchberry Quick Facts

Canadian Buffaloberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $6.99
Zone: 1b
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.2 m (0.6 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Foliage: dark green with silver undersides
Fall colour: brick red
Flowers: white
Flowers: tiny, red
Berries: small, red
Berries: red bitter berries (edible)
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: August/September
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: canada buffalo berry, canada buffaloberry, canadian buffaloberry, foam berry, foamberry, russet buffaloberry, soap berry, soapberry, soopolallie