Highbush Cranberry

Viburnum trilobum

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 …

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SKU
99780-GL
Cultural Details
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Moisture Medium, Moist
Sun Exposure Full Sun, Partial
Height 8' - 12'
Bloom Color White
Bloom Time May, June
Spacing 10'
Hardiness Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Root Type Fibrous
Benefits Birds, Pollinators, Host Plant

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 up to three feet per year, reaching 8 to 12 feet tall and up to 10 feet wide. To keep it from getting larger than desired an annual pruning each year just after flowering will 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
The "perfect" flowers - having both male and female parts - are self-infertile and cross pollination is needed for reliable fruit production. Two or three shrubs are recommended for ample fruiting.