Russian Almond vs Bunchberry
Prunus tenella
Cornus canadensis
Russian Almond is a low maintenance, short, slightly suckering shrub. It is covered with attractive, bright pink flowers in early spring before its foliage emerges.
This hardy species forms dense thickets attracts wildlife. Russian Almond prefers full sun and well-drained soils, but can tolerate moist soils.
The nuts it produces are quite attractive but very small. They are bitter and possibly toxic in large quantities.
Check out our YouTube channel video of the Russian Almond here.
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.