Highbush Cranberry blooms in spring with white clusters of tiny florets, surrounded by larger florets. Dark green leaves turn purplish-red in autumn, alongside drooping clusters of bright red berries. The berries soften and sweeten over winter, and are eaten by Cedar Waxwing and other birds …
Highbush Cranberry blooms in spring with white clusters of tiny florets, surrounded by larger florets. Dark green leaves turn purplish-red in autumn, alongside drooping clusters of bright red berries. The berries soften and sweeten over winter, and are eaten by Cedar Waxwing and other birds. The very-tart berries are excellent in jams jellies.
Indigenous to moist woods and lake margins, Viburnum trilobum prefers consistent moisture, but tolerates a wide range of soils and is easily grown in average, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade.
This large, hardy shrub has a moderate growth rate of 1– 2 feet per year, reaching 8 – 12 feet high, and up to 10 feet wide. To keep it from getting larger than desired an annual pruning each year just after flowering can maintain the present size. The arching stems along with a dense rounded form make it a popular landscape choice as a screening hedge. For a solid screen, plants should be spaced about four feet apart. Viburnums flower profusely whether or not pollination occurs. However, poor fruiting will occur with only one Viburnum.
Keystone species in the Eastern temperate forest ecoregion, Native Viburnums provide excellent support for wildlife and pollinators, serving as host plants to numerous lepidoptera including the Green Marvel, and Pink Prominent moths.
Botanical Synonyms
Viburnum opulus var. americanum
Planting and Cultivation Notes
As a general rule, viburnums are not self-fertile, and cross pollination from two shrubs is needed for reliable fruit production. We recommend two to three Highbush Cranberry shrubs for ample fruiting.
Native plants can be grown outside of their native range in the appropriate growing conditions. This map shows the native range, as well as the introduced range, of this species.
Plant Shipping Rates: for plant orders up to $50 the shipping amount is $9.95. For plant orders from $50.01 and over, the shipping rate is 20% of the total plant cost.
Fall plant-shipping begins on September 9, 2024. The last day to order your plants for fall shipment is September 29.
During checkout, you will be asked to choose a Shipping Week for your plant delivery, from the dates that are available. The week that you choose will be included in your order confirmation email. When your plants ship you will receive an email that includes your tracking information.
Will other Viburnum species serve for pollination purposes, or does the additional viburnum need to be of the same species?
We can't guarantee that different species of Viburnum will create reliable, compatible pollination for the fertilization of flowers, ample fruit and seed production. We recommend planting more than one of this particular species to assure the best level of fruit production. All of our Viburnums are sourced and grown from seed, from northern Wisconsin.
I wanted to plant these on the southeast corner of my house. It gets full sun for more than 6 hours a day but a large tree on the south side would shade the plants in the afternoon and evening. Is this enough sunlight?
A location on the Southeast corner with 6 hours of morning sun is a good setting, and provides enough sunlight for Viburnum trilobum. As a riparian species it may benefit from the afternoon shade to help conserve moisture.
What size is this shrub when shipped?
Our potted shrubs are between 1' and 2' high when shipped. The root is well developed and the plants have established branching. This shrub is in a one gallon (or #1) container, which is approximately 7" deep x 6.5" wide at the top.
Should this shrub be planted in spring or fall?
This shrub can be successfully planted in either spring or fall. See Tips for Planting in Fall for more informtation about planting perennials (including shrubs) in the fall. You may also be interested in How to Plant Shrubs, in our Resource & Guides pages.
Does this species require acidic soil to thrive?
Highbush Cranberry does not require acidic soil to thrive. It is a very adaptable shrub where soils are concerned. However, it does prefer a consistently moist setting.
Is this shrub deer resistant?
This shrub is not deer resistant.
If you live in an area where deer are present, we recommend protecting any newly installed shrubs by surrounding them with a wire fencing cage, or a plastic netting to protect them from being browsed by deer and/or rabbits. Food sources can be scarce in the winter, and young shrubs are choice when when there are no tender perennials available. If you live in an urban area where there are no deer, you may have rabbits in your yard. Rabbits also browse young, newly planted shrubs when other plants are not available.
These shrubs are deer resistant: New Jersey Tea,Sweet Fern,Shrubby St. John's Wort,Carolina Rose,Purple Flowering Raspberry.
What is the growth rate of Highbush Cranberry?
Highbush Cranberry has a moderate growth rate of 1 – 2 feet per year.
Does cranberry bush spread by suckering?
Native viburnums do produce some suckering shoots, but not excessively. The best way to deal with sucker growth is to periodically remove them with a pruning shears as low to the ground as possible.
When will these plants start producing fruit?
Viburnum trilobum should start producing fruit after about 3 years, or at < 4 ft. high. The fruit production may be scant at first and increases as the plant matures.
How far apart can I plant these to achieve pollination?
At most, plants that are providing cross pollination should be within 50 feet of each other.
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