American Highbush Cranberry
A valuable North American native, the American Highbush Cranberry grows throughout northeastern parts of the United States and southeastern Canada. Fruit is very similar to the Russian Highbush Cranberries that we used to grow and is an easily adaptable shrub so long as adequate summer water is provided.
This valuable and attractive shrub is prized for its medicinal properties, fruit, and ornamental value. Highbush Cranberry features large clusters of snow-white flowers in the spring followed in September by bright red berries and striking reddish orange foliage. After frost removes their bitterness, the berries are used for preserves, candy and baked goods. The flowers, fruit, fruit and seeds are used in herbal medicine as a fever reducer, to lower blood pressure and treat heart disease.
Highbush Cranberry likes full to half day sun and grows 8 ft. or more in height. Pest and disease resistant, it is self-fertile and hardy to minus 30 degrees F., USDA Zone 3.
Latin Name: Viburnum trilobum
Site and Soil: Full to 1/2 day sun and most soils.
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile.
Hardiness: Hardy to minus 30°F.
Bearing Age: 2-3 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 8-10 ft. in height
Fruit Skin: Bright red
Flower Color: White
Bloom Time: April
Ripening Time: September
Yield: 20+ lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Highbush Cranberry is not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 3-8