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Hixson, John

Viburnum opulus var. americanum

Viburnum opulus L. var. americanum Aiton

American Cranberry Bush, Highbush Cranberry, American Cranberrybush Viburnum, Cranberry Viburnum

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)

Synonym(s): Viburnum opulus ssp. trilobum, Viburnum trilobum

USDA Symbol: VIOPA2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)

Highbush-cranberry is a 6-12 ft. shrub which can reach 16 ft. Dense upright or arching branches create a round outline. Maple-like, deciduous foliage is colorful in fall. White, flat-topped clusters of flowers are followed by persistent red berries.

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Notes: Up to about 16 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Red, Orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CT , IA , ID , IL , IN , KY , MA , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SD , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NS , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Nf. to B.C., s. to NJ, n. IN, n. IL, Black Hills, WY & WA
Native Habitat: Cool woods; thickets; rocky shores; slopes

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Wet to average, well-drained loams.
Conditions Comments: Flood, disease and insect tolerant. Transplants easily. Edible berries.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Songbirds, gamebirds, small mammals.
Use Food: The berries make an excellent winter-survival food because they remain above the snow and are sweeter after freezing. (Kershaw)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Spring Azure

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Spring Azure
(Celastrina "ladon" )

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Hardwood Cuttings , Seeds , Softwood Cuttings
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Viburnum opulus var. americanum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Viburnum opulus var. americanum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Viburnum opulus var. americanum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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