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:

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