Companion Plants for Cornus Canadensis

Ferns

• Ferns are native to shady, moist woodland areas with acidic soil, as are Cornus canadensis, and will make a planted area appear natural when the plants are grown together. Because most ferns are deciduous and die back in the fall to rise up again in spring, ferns will add texture and interest to the bunchberry ground cover during the summer but expose the foliage and bright red berries of Cornus canadensis during winter months.

Trillium

• A shade-loving, self-seeding wildflower that blooms in springtime, trillium is available is a wide range of flower colors, from white to deep purple. Trillium can be grown from seeds and from bulbs, which means after initial planting your trillium plants will multiply from year to year. The flower stem rises above the bunchberry to 7 to 8 inches, adding bright spots of color throughout the carpet of Cornus canadensis. Trillium flowers should not be used as cut flowers because cutting the flower injures the plant severely and it may take several years to recover and bloom again.

Rhododendron

• Cornus canadensis is an ideal ground cover around rhododendrons and azaleas. All prefer shade and soil that is slightly acidic, humus rich and consistently moist. The companion plants will bloom in the spring, with the shrubs bursting with exotic-looking, brightly colored flower clusters above the carpet of green foliage and tiny white flowers.

Hosta

• With striking foliage in shades of green, hosta is a hardy, herbaceous perennial that can add texture and interest to Cornus canadensis. Because the hosta plant is easy to grow and a favorite of gardeners with shady areas in their landscape, there are many varieties to choose from to complement your bunchberry. From tiny hosta that is 3 to 4 inches to large hosta plants that reach several feet, you can grow the plant with colorful leaves in blue-green, chartreuse, gold and green or variegated. All hosta plants bloom in the summer and can have lavender or white showy flowers that resemble small lilies.