Bunchberry vs Creeping Oregon Grape
Cornus canadensis
Mahonia repens
ONLY AVAILABLE BY CONTRACT GROW
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.
Creeping Oregon Grape is an excellent ground cover plant with attractive, dark green, holly-like leaves. It maintains its leaves throughout winter, which turn mauve, rose, and rust-colored. Clusters of bright, yellow flowers develop into dark, blue-purple edible berries ideal for juice or wine.
Note: This species is currently unavailable. Grow your own using Creeping Oregon Grape seeds at SeedTime.ca.