American Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum opulus var. americanum)

Local Name: American Highbush Cranberry

Botanical Name: Viburnum opulus var. americanum

Family:  Adoxaceae (Moschatel)

Status: Dakota County

Landscape Archetype: Woodland, Forest, Wetland edge

Life Cycle: Perennial (deciduous shrub)

Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Sun

Soil Moisture: Mesic

Soil Type: Loam, silt loam, clay loam

Height & Width Range: Height: Hedge Layer 6-12 feet Width: 8–12 feet

Bloom Color: White 

Morphology Notes: American highbush cranberry is an upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with opposite, three-lobed leaves that resemble those of maples, turning brilliant red in fall. Leaves are coarsely toothed and may be lightly pubescent beneath. The inflorescence (flower) is a flat‑topped compound structure technically a corymb, with a ring of showy sterile florets surrounding a central cluster of small fertile flowers—think hydrangea. Blooming occurs from late May to June, with the sterile white florets drawing pollinators to the fertile interior. The fruits are bright red and very ornamental.

Fruits and Seeds: Fruits are bright red drupes, a sort of berry type thing that is cranberry-like flesh wrapped around a hard flattened seed typical of viburnums. These fruits ripen in late summer and persist well into winter if the chickens or children don’t get them first. Fruits are tart like cranberries, hence the common name and historically have been used for preserves and sauces. Here at NH headquarters, we eat them raw as a punchy snack but be warned there is a look-a-like species from Europe called Guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus var. opulus) that makes identical fruits with a taste reminiscent of ammonia. Yuck! It is notable that these two species have been known to hybridize and unfortunately the fruit of the hybrid is also disgusting. 

Habit and Habitat: Upright, branching, vase‑shaped to rounded form, often sending up multiple stems from the base. It thrives along woodland edges, moist forests, riparian corridors, wetland margins, and upland sites with adequate moisture, and is more tolerant of shade than many fruiting shrubs. The shrub becomes denser and more floriferous in sunnier exposures and may grow more open or leggy in deep shade. Keep it irrigated in more sun. It tolerates seasonal flooding and heavier soils and is a characteristic component of cool northern forests and mixed hardwood ecosystems.

Companions: Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), Blephilia hirsuta (Hairy Woodmint), Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), Ageratina altissima (White Snakeroot), Bromus pubescens (Hairy Woodland Brome) or other woodland grasses, underplant with moist loving woodland sedges like Carex gracillima (Graceful Sedge), Carex woodii (Pretty Sedge), Carex sparganioides (Bur-reed Sedge).

Ecological Associations: The flowers provide nectar and pollen to small native bees including Carpenter Bees (Ceratina dupla) and Sweat Bees (Lasioglossum imitatum), and they are also visited by syrphid flies such as the Margined Calligrapher (Toxomerus marginatus). The fruits are consumed by birds including American Robin (Turdus migratorius) and Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum), and mammals such as foxes and small rodents. The shrub serves as a host plant for the Viburnum Leaf Beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni), a troublesome pest whose larvae can severely damage Viburnums. Be aware of this pest before planting this species, though straight species natives show a greater resistance to the bug than the European and cultivar species.

Provenance: Midwest: MN and MI

NH Propagation Technique: Vendor stock from seed or cuttings. 

Special Powers: The flowers are unassuming at first but break out into a spectacular show that leads to delicious edible “berries” that taste like cranberries! This shrub excels as a four-season performer, offering showy spring bloom, abundant summer fruit, spectacular fall color, and lingering clusters of bright red drupes through winter. It's an excellent plant for natural borders and smaller gardens looking for a big impact.