Cornus suecica,C. canadensis
Dwarf cornels aka pussyfoot dogwood are low - grow ground cover plants with the same blossom and leaves of the declamatory cornel trees we know and have intercourse .
They look a snatch like a branch of aflowering dogwoodthat fell to the earth and set forth growing .
These sweetened plants can grow between about five to 12 column inch tall and are top with empurpled efflorescence surround by white bract in former spring through early summer .
After the heyday fade , they ’re follow by comestible red-faced stone fruit .
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Another fun fact , at least in my judgment , is that these plants have some of the fast strike flowers in the world .
When the petals abound open in half a msec , they move at 22 feet per second , ejecting pollen into the air .
I ’ve never seen it find myself . Usually what happens is one moment the flower is closed and then I seem over and it ’s opened . Just like that ! But I hope to get it happening one day !
I hope I ’ve piqued your curiosity about bunchberries and you ’re ready to explore what there is to know about grow these cute plants .
Here ’s what we ’re going to discuss :
What You’ll Learn
Quick Look
How to Grow
Where to Buy
criminal maintenance
Propagation
Pests and Disease
This species is most commonly found growing in the wild in the Pacific Northwest , Alaska , western and eastern Canada , and Greenland .
It ’ll develop in most subarctic , northern temperate zone in the Northern Hemisphere .
Dwarf cornel is n’t loosely found in inland domain , however , it adhere closer to the coastal region .
C. suecicais very similar to Canadian bunchberry or Canadian dwarf dogwood tree , C. canadensis , and in the regions where they overlap , the two species might hybridize with one another .
That ’s where many experts suspect the western bunchberry ( C.xunalaschkensis ) follow from .
By the way , if you determine to arise one of these other similar species , they have pretty much the same growing prerequisite .
Common name(s):Bunchberry , creeping dogwood tree , midget cornel , Lapland dogwood
Plant type : Deciduous perennial bush
Hardiness ( USDA Zone):2 - 9
aboriginal to : Temperate and subarctic regions in the Northern Hemisphere
blush time / time of year : bounce and summer
photo : Partial , mottled , or full wraith
grime eccentric : Loamy , idle , organically - rich , well - draining
ground pH:5.5 - 7.5 , slightly acidic to neutral
metre to maturity:10 years
Mature size:12 column inch all-embracing x 9 in high
good apply : primer coat screening , shady spots
Taxonomy
Holy Order : Cornales
class : Cornaceae
Genus : Cornus
specie : Suecica
In outpouring , the glossy , ovate leave emerge . These are followed by prime which are made up of big white bract with tiny empurpled prime at the mall .
These die hard for hebdomad and the plants can rebloom in late summer if they are growing in ideal consideration .
As the summer progresses , the flowers transmute into a cluster of red berry .
Typically deciduous , nanus cornels can be semi - evergreen plant in warmer climates .
Though this species is low - growing , the plants ca n’t tolerate foot dealings .
I ’ll also admonish you that it takes a few years for them to become install . In the other year you ’ll need to keep weeds at bay as these compete for water and nutrients .
Let ’s take a face at the ethnical requirements of nanus cornels :
Climate
This species grows in Zones 2 to 9 and can tolerate temperature down to about -50 ° F . It ’s not a immense buff of heat , though .
If temperature go up over 80 ° F for an protracted period , the plants are n’t going to be happy .
Do n’t even think about trying to grow gnome dogwood in the hot , humid condition of Georgia or Florida .
Light
The first time I implant gnome cornels , I put them in deep , dark shade against a fencing and under a tree .
They hold up , but the maidenhair fern ferns and ivy eventually campaign them out .
When I replant , I put them in dappled shade and they were much healthier and happier . They were able to distribute and press back on the English ivy and fern .
So while gnome cornels can hold up in deep tad , they will grow faster and more robust in dappled or partial shade .
A little direct sun in the forenoon and mottled sun the rest of the twenty-four hour period is ideal unless you are in a spicy climate .
In that pillow slip , put them somewhere with full shade in the afternoon and avoid direct sun wholly .
Soil
The soil can be anywhere from sandy to a scrap of clay , but loamy , organically - productive , loose soil is best .
Dwarf cornel plants like humusy forest dirt with mickle of decay affair .
To recreate this , work in lots of well - rotted compost into the soil . This will help to enrich the soil , improve drain and serve the earth keep back wet .
The soil pH should be slightly acidulent to neutral . If you ’re using a pH test or meter , somewhere between 5.5 and 7.5 is perfect .
Water
These plants grow by nature in boggy area , wetland , moist wood , and other domain with great deal of water .
The stain should never be permit to dry out out completely , but you do n’t require it soggy , either .
Ideally , the soil will always feel like a well wrung - out sponge . Just barely moist but not soak wet .
drain is important , so while the soil should stay on moist , it should n’t be stagnant moisture .
I bid I could give you an accurate amount of water to add each workweek , but how much will depend on your particular grow conditions .
The soil in your garden might drain a bit quicker than mine , the weather condition might be a bit dry this year than normal , and the spot where you set might be a act shadier than you agnize .
You just need to check the stain with your digit or use amoisture meterto set when you need to add more water .
The soil should just start to feel dry before you add water , but it should never be allowed to dry out altogether .
Fertilizing
Before you flow any of your plant life , it ’s a good idea to do asoil testand improve with specific nutrients according to the results .
If you do n’t want to or ca n’t do a soil test , practice an all - purpose plant food in the outpouring and capitulation .
A intersection like Down to Earth ’s All - Purpose food with its NPK balance of 4 - 6 - 2 is complete for most bush and vegetable .
Down to Earth All - Purpose Fertilizer
you’re able to encounter it in one- , five- , and 15 - pound containersat Arbico Organics .
If you last in a region where this plant thrives , you could probably notice it at local distinctiveness nursery . Keep an eye on aboriginal plant life sales in your neighborhood , too !
Depending on where you subsist , they might have hybrids for sales agreement that do peculiarly well in your neck opening of the woods .
Dwarf cornel is slow growing and can take over 10 years to grow .
In the first year or two you might wonder whether it ’s go to develop at all – but as long as it maintain producing new foliage there ’s nothing to worry about .
After three or four old age , you ’ll really see the plant turn and circulate . This is when you need to start a steady maintenance routine .
You do n’t need to deadhead the flowers or remove the Berry . The bird and other wildlife will do that for you unless you settle to harvest the berries yourself .
Prune for soma or to take any pathological , ill-shapen , or crowded limb .
This is best done in the recent wintertime or early saltation before the new farewell come out . Make certain your tools are clean to avoid spread out disease .
If you want to pluck the seminal fluid out of the ruddy fruit , you could pass around midget cornel from source .
see the full details ofhow to distribute dogwood tree from seed here .
From Cuttings
Dogwoods in general are easy to start from cuttings . Here ’s how :
At that point you’re able to harden off the cuttings and transplant into the garden .
Transplanting
Whether you start out your new dwarf cornel from seeds , purchase a plant , or propagate a cutting , you need to get it from the growing container into the ground .
Before you transplant , work on in plentitude of well - moulder compost to the soil .
You want the plant sit around at the same height that it was in the growing container .
Dogwoods can be susceptible to a turn of problems , but loosely those that are strain by too much or too small sun , want of nutrients , or drought are far more likely to encounter issue .
retrieve , dwarf cornel plants do n’t like foot dealings , so try and forefend letting it get tread on by humans , wildlife , or pets .
Do n’t have your chickens fray around them for the first few twelvemonth , either – I learned that the toilsome way .
lease ’s talk about the mutual pesterer to see for , first .
Pests
The good newsworthiness is that nanus dogwood seems to be less susceptible to many blighter than some otherCornusspecies .
The bad news is that some of the pest that attack your plant can be highly destructive .
Borers can be a huge job for bunchberries , whilescaleis a bit less dangerous but more common .
Learn about how to discover and deal with both of these and more in ourguide to dogwood pestilence .
Disease
Given the correct conditions , these plants are mostly healthy , but it can be tough to mime the exact growing environment that they would encounter in the wild .
That think of disease are fairly unwashed .
Ourguide to common dogwood diseasescovers what you need to keep an optic out for .
Good Things Come in Small Packages
Dwarf dogwood dogwood tree makes me glad , and I ’m not the only one . Pollinators love these plants and you’re able to do your flake to endure nativebeneficial insectsby grow them .
And when the berries form , the birds will be delight !
And formore information about spring up dogwoods , bestow these guides to your interpretation list next :
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About
Kristine Lofgren
