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Viburnum opulus var. americanum americanum
American cranberry bush
North America — from Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to the Great Lakes and Pacific Northwest; moist woodlands, stream banks, and thicket marginsLearn more
Overview
Viburnum opulus var. americanum is American cranberry bush (American highbush cranberry), an upright deciduous shrub growing 8-12 feet (2.4-3.6 m) tall and 8-12 feet (2.4-3.6 m) wide. White lacecap flower clusters 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) — a ring of large sterile florets 0.75 inch (2 cm) surrounding tiny fertile flowers — in May-June. Bright red translucent berries 0.3 inch (8 mm) in drooping clusters ripen August-September and persist through winter. Dark green 3-lobed (maple-like) opposite leaves 2-4 inches (5-10 cm). Turns red, orange, and yellow in fall. In Adoxaceae. Native to North America — Newfoundland to British Columbia. Some botanists treat this as V. trilobum rather than a variety of V. opulus. Distinguished from the European V. opulus by concave (not stalked) petiole glands. The berries are tart and edible when cooked — used for jelly and preserves. Not true cranberries (Vaccinium). Viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni) skeletonizes the foliage — this beetle is the primary pest concern and can defoliate plants over successive years. Not drought-tolerant — requires moist soil. Extremely cold-hardy (zone 2). Deer browse. Non-toxic. Zones 2-7. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is moderate.
Native Range
Native to North America — from Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to the Great Lakes and Pacific Northwest. Found in moist woodlands, stream banks, and thicket margins.Suggested Uses
Grown as an informal hedge, screen, wildlife habitat shrub, and native plant garden specimen spaced 8-12 feet (2.4-3.6 m). Persistent red berries for wildlife and cooking. Extremely cold-hardy. Native to North America. Non-toxic. Zones 2-7.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8' - 12'
Width/Spread8' - 12'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Late spring to early summer (May-June). White lacecap clusters 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) with large sterile florets surrounding fertile flowers. 2 weeks. Bee- and butterfly-visited. Bright red berries ripen August-September and persist through winter.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White lacecap clusters 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) — a ring of large sterile florets 0.75 inch (2 cm) surrounding a center of tiny fertile flowers; flat-toppedFoliage Description
Dark green, simple, 3-lobed (maple-like), opposite, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm), coarsely serrated; turns red, orange, and yellow in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun to partial shade (4-8 hours). Moist soil pH 5.5-7.5. Not drought-tolerant. Viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni) skeletonizes foliage — monitor and hand-pick larvae. Extremely cold-hardy (zone 2). Prune in early spring (March). Deer browse. Non-toxic. Zones 2-7.Pruning
Prune in early spring (March). Remove 1/3 of the oldest stems at the base annually for renewal. Shape lightly if needed. The upright multi-stemmed form is natural.Pruning Schedule
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early spring