Highbush Cranberry
Viburnum trilobum
Also known as American Highbush Cranberry, American Cranberrybush, American Guelder-rose
Climate Match for your location
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A native North American shrub with flat white flower clusters and bright red berries that persist into winter, valued for wildlife food and ornamental interest. Extremely hardy and adaptable with attractive lobed foliage that turns deep red in fall.
Why grow it
Highbush cranberry offers reliable winter ornament and wildlife food in a native shrub that tolerates poor soils and variable moisture better than many ornamental viburnums. It produces edible berries suitable for processing into preserves, distinguishing it from purely ornamental relatives. The combination of seasonal interest (spring flowers, summer fruit, fall color, persistent winter berries) makes it a practical multiseason choice for northern and midwestern temperate zones where many fruiting shrubs struggle.
Watch out for
Plants may require cross-pollination from a different clone for consistent berry set, so single specimens sometimes produce sparse fruit. Sawfly larvae occasionally defoliate plants in some regions, though damage is typically not severe enough to require intervention. The berries attract birds readily, which can reduce the visual display if winter persistence is a priority.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Viburnaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern and central North America
Native to: Connecticut, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A native North American shrub with flat white flower clusters and bright red berries that persist into winter, valued for wildlife food and ornamental interest. Extremely hardy and adaptable with attractive lobed foliage that turns deep red in fall.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Highbush Cranberry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Highbush cranberry offers reliable winter ornament and wildlife food in a native shrub that tolerates poor soils and variable moisture better than many ornamental viburnums. It produces edible berries suitable for processing into preserves, distinguishing it from purely ornamental relatives. The combination of seasonal interest (spring flowers, summer fruit, fall color, persistent winter berries) makes it a practical multiseason choice for northern and midwestern temperate zones where many fruiting shrubs struggle.
Watch out for
Plants may require cross-pollination from a different clone for consistent berry set, so single specimens sometimes produce sparse fruit. Sawfly larvae occasionally defoliate plants in some regions, though damage is typically not severe enough to require intervention. The berries attract birds readily, which can reduce the visual display if winter persistence is a priority.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Viburnaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern and central North America
Native to: Connecticut, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
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