VIBURNUM TRILOBUM / HIGHBUSH CRANBERRY

VIBURNUM TRILOBUM / AMERICAN CRANBERRYBUSH

A Native Shrub with Showy Flowers, Edible Berries, and Seasonal Interest

Viburnum trilobum, commonly known as American Cranberrybush, is a native deciduous shrub admired for its clusters of fragrant white flowers, bright red edible berries, and vibrant fall foliage. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soils, American Cranberrybush is ideal for naturalized landscapes, pollinator gardens, and wildlife-friendly plantings. Its ornamental blooms, fruit, and fall color make it a versatile native shrub.

Why Choose American Cranberrybush?

Showy White Flowers: Flat-topped clusters of fragrant blooms appear in late spring to early summer.
Edible Berries: Bright red berries are edible and provide food for birds and small mammals.
Wildlife Friendly: Flowers attract pollinators, and berries support birds and mammals.
Low Maintenance & Hardy: Resilient, long-lived, and adaptable to a variety of soil conditions.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Medium green leaves turning red to orange in fall.
Flower Color: Creamy white flower clusters in late spring to early summer.
Fruit: Bright red berries in late summer to fall.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 8–12 feet tall and 6–10 feet wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 3–7.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soils; tolerates clay, loam, or sandy soils.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 8–12 feet tall, 6–10 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–7.
Flowering/Fruiting: Flowers in late spring to early summer; berries in late summer to fall.
Fall Interest: Leaves turn bright red; berries provide winter interest.

Ideal Uses:

Pollinator Gardens: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Wildlife Plantings: Berries provide food for birds and small mammals.
Naturalized Landscapes: Works well along woodland edges, meadows, and native gardens.
Hedges & Screens: Can be used as a dense shrub for privacy, windbreaks, or decorative plantings.

American Cranberrybush is a hardy and ecologically valuable native shrub. Its fragrant flowers, bright red berries, and vibrant fall foliage make it an excellent choice for naturalized landscapes, pollinator gardens, and wildlife-friendly plantings.