The Highbush Cranberry is covered in stunning white flower clusters in late spring turning into bunches of bright red edible berries in the fall. It has dark green foliage emerges brick red in spring and turns an amazing scarlet red in the fall. The smooth gray bark on the main stems and yellow branches add an interesting dimension to the winter landscape.
The vermillion coloured fruits are excellent for making jams and jellies but if left unpicked, will remain on the tree in spectacular clusters from late summer right through to late winter or until the birds and squirrels eat them, which ever comes first.
Landscape Attributes:
The Highbush Cranberry is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that is native to many parts of the Canadian prairies and grows with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds but not deer and planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments.
While it is considered to be somewhat self-pollinating, it tends to set heavier quantities of fruit with a different viburnum variety such as Nannyberry, Snowball, or Wayfaring tree planted nearby.
