Bunchberry vs Northern Gooseberry
Cornus canadensis
Ribes oxyacanthoides
COMING SOON
(new stock expected: later this season)
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.
Northern Gooseberry is a small, ornamental quality native shrub with prickly stems. You can plant it anywhere you'd plant Prickly Rose or Common Wild Rose, such as your yard.
Most people find Northern Gooseberry berries a bit tart for significant fresh eating but they are good for baking, wine or jam.