Overview & Description

The American Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum), also known as American Cranberrybush Viburnum, is a hardy, native deciduous shrub prized for its year-round beauty and effortless care. It features three-lobed, maple-like, dark green leaves that turn vibrant shades of red to reddish-purple in autumn. In late spring, it produces showy, flat-topped clusters of small, white flowers, with larger, sterile outer flowers creating a lace-cap effect. These are followed by brilliant, scarlet-red, edible berries that persist through winter, providing a vital food source for birds and adding cheerful color to snowy landscapes.

Growth & Size

This variety exhibits a dense, upright-rounded, multi-stemmed growth habit. It is a fast-growing shrub, typically reaching a mature size of about 8 to 12 feet in height with a spread of 8 to 10 feet. It can live for approximately 40 years under ideal conditions.

Additional Notes

It blooms in late spring. Hardy to Zone 2, it is adaptable to a wide range of well-drained soils, including clay, and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is drought-tolerant once established, deer resistant, and resistant to pests. An outstanding choice for hedges, screens, mass plantings, naturalized areas, and wildlife gardens where multi-season interest and ecological value are desired.