highbush cranberry

Viburnum opulus var. americanum

Description:

The highbush cranberry is not a cranberry though its fruit looks and tastes like cranberries. It is part of the honeysuckle family, whereas the true (or low bush) cranberry is a member of the heather family.

Highbush cranberry grows in hardiness zones 2-7, is 8-15 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. It tolerates frost and likes sun or semi-shade. This bush is successful in most soil types but does best in well-drained, moist soil that is rich and contains loam.

Use and Management:

This bush is a magnet for wildlife. It provides food for deer and birds. It can be used as a hedge by spacing plants 2-3 feet apart.

Additional Information:

highbush cranberry

USDA Symbol:	Common Name:	Scientific Name:
VIOPA2	American cranberrybush	Viburnum opulus

ITIS TSN: 530811

Category: Dicot

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae

Subkingdom:

Super Division: Spermatophyta

Division: Magnoliophyta

Subdivision:

Class: Magnoliopsida

SubClass: Asteridae

Order: Dipsacales

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Counties: Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Brown, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Door, Douglas, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood

Natural Community:

Curtis Community:

Coefficient of Conservation: 6

Duration:	Growth Habit:	Native Status:
Perennial	Shrub, Tree	L48(N)CAN(N)SPM(N)

Active Growth Period: Spring and Summer

After Harvest Regrowth Rate:

Bloat: None

Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio: High

Coppice Potential: No

Conspicuous Fall Color: Yes

Fire Resistant: No

Flower Color: White

Conspicuous Flower: Yes

Foliage Color: Green

Foliage Light Porosity Summer: Moderate

Foliage Porosity Winter: Porous

Foliage Texture: Coarse

Fruit/Seed Color: Red

Fruit/Seed Conspicuous: Yes

Growth Form: Multiple Stem

Growth Rate: Slow

Height at Base Age (Max): 6

Height at Maturity: 6

Known Alelopath: No

Leaf Retention: No

Lifespan: Long

Low Growing Grass: No

Re-sproutability: No

Shape and Orientation: Erect

Toxicity: None

Height (min):

Height (max):

Root Type:

Leaf Type:

Leaf Arrangement:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Margin:

Vein Pattern:

Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils: Yes

Adapted to Medium Textured Soils: Yes

Adapted to Fine Textured Soils: Yes

Anaerobic Tolerance:

CaCO3 Tolerance: Low

Cold Stratification Required: No

Drought Tolerance: Medium

Fertility Requirement: Medium

_Fire Tolerance: Medium

Frost Free Days, Minimum: 90

Hedge Tolerance: Medium

Moisture Use: High

pH (Minimum): 4.5

pH (Maximum): 6.9

Planting Density per Acre, Minimum: 700

Planting Density per Acre, Maximum: 1100

Precipitation (Minimum): 35

Precipitation (Maximum): 55

Root Depth, Minimum (inches): 14

Salinity Tolerance: None

Shade Tolerance: Intermediate

Temperature, Minimum (°F): -33

Plant Spacing (min):

Plant Spacing (max):

Bloom Period:	Commercial Availability:	Fruit/Seed Abundance:
Mid Spring	Routinely Available	High

Fruit/Seed Period Begin:	Fruit/Seed Period End:	Fruit/Seed Persistence:
Summer	Fall	Yes

Propogated by Bare Root:	Propogated by Bulbs:	Propogated by Container:
Yes	No	Yes

Propogated by Corms:	Propogated by Cuttings:	Propogated by Seed:
No	Yes	No

Propogated by Sod:	Propogated by Sprigs:	Propogated by Tubers:
No	No	No

Seeds per Pound:	Seed Spread Rate:	Seedling Vigor:
13000	None	Low

Small Grain:	Vegetative Spread Rate:	Propagation Treatment:
No	Slow

Days to Stratify:	Direct Sowing Time:

Benefits:

Berry/Nut/Seed Product:	Christmas Tree Product:	Fodder Product:
No	No	No

Fuelwood Product:	Lumber Product:	Naval Store Product:
--	No	No

Nursery Stock Product:	Palatable Browse Animal:	Palatable Graze Animal:
Yes	Medium	Low

Palatable Human:	Post Product:	Protein Potential:
Yes	No	Low

Pulpwood Product:	Veneer Product:
No	No

Benefits:	Wildlife Food Value:	Wildlife Cover Value:

References:

USDA Plants Database
Wisconsin Virtual Flora Database
Maine Cooperative Extension
Native Plant Network Propagation Protocol Database
USFS Fire Effects Information System Database