10/6/2023 0 Comments Circle landscape drawingYou will often see “highbush cranberry” listed for sale under its old name, Viburnum trilobum, so many people have had the unfortunate experience of discovering that what they purchased was the European form when they were hoping for the American form. If you wish to eat the fruit, make sure you plant the true North American species, Viburnum opulus var. *Please Note: There is also a European form (species or possibly subspecies) of highbush cranberry (Viburnum opulus) that is described as having inedible/bitter fruit. And, how does a glass of juice made with highbush cranberries sound to you? Check out this delicious-sounding recipe courtesy of. ‘Wentworth’, ‘Andrews’, and ‘Hahs’ are three varieties that are examples of the better-tasting, American form (americanum) versus the European form (see note below). The jam reportedly has a very pleasant flavor. They are an excellent substitute for cranberries and are likewise used in preserves, jams/jellies, sauces, etc., which make delicious condiments for meat and game. It does not begin to produce fruit until approximately five years of age.Įdible Qualities: The fruits/drupes can be eaten raw (though not very tasty that way) or cooked, and like cranberries, they are rich in vitamin C and so have a tart, acid taste (the taste is best after a frost and when picked slightly under-ripe). The seeds ripen from August to September. The flowers are pollinated by both wind and insects.įruit: Nearly round drupe (drupe: a fleshy fruit with a central stonelike core containing one or more seeds) about 1/3 inch diameter with a single large seed, bright red, juicy and quite acid, like a cranberry. The flowers are hermaphrodite (having both male and female organs) and are therefore self-fertile, meaning that an individual plant’s flowers can pollinate one another, so there is no need for a second type (or even a second individual plant) to provide pollen and produce fruit. The clusters are 2 to 3 inches across, with an outer ring of larger, sterile flowers. The petiole is grooved and has round, raised glands near the base.įlowers: It produces flat-top clusters of showy white flowers in June. They are glossy dark green in the summer but often change to yellow-red or red-purple in the fall. They are superficially similar to many maple leaves, but have a somewhat wrinkled surface and impressed venation. Leaves: Opposite, simple, 3-lobed and 2 to 4 inches long. Established plants can tolerate drought, but they are helped by supplemental watering during such periods. It is tolerant of frost, likes sun or semi-shade, and is successful in most soil types but does best in well-drained, moist soil that is rich and loamy. It is noted for attracting wildlife, especially birds which benefit from the fruit, which can remain on the branches well into mid winter. per year, the plant is typically 8 to 15 feet tall by 8 to 10 feet wide, with arching stems and a very dense, rounded form, making it a popular landscaping choice for use as a screening hedge. Considered a large and hardy deciduous shrub with a moderate growth rate of up to 3 ft. According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the highbush cranberry is listed as ‘endangered’ in Indiana, ‘threatened’ in Ohio, and ‘rare’ in Pennsylvania.Īn American Highbush cranberry tree in southeastern Minnesota Plant Description In North America, the highbush cranberry stretches from British Columbia east to Newfoundland, south to Washington state and east to northern Virginia, with an isolated population in New Mexico. They are located mostly in north temperate regions and in tropical mountains. The Honeysuckle family is comprised of about 400 species, with 11 tree species-and numerous shrub species-that are native to North America. Both are native to North America, but the highbush cranberry is a Viburnum, a member of the Caprifoliaceae, or Honeysuckle family, in contrast to the ‘true,’ or lowbush cranberry, which is a Vaccinium, a member of the Ericaceae-Heather or Heath-family. The two plants are quite different, however. They also mature in the fall, as cranberries do. The highbush cranberry is actually not a cranberry at all, though its fruit, or ‘drupes’ as they are known taxonomically, strongly resemble cranberries in both appearance and taste. Highbush Cranberry – Viburnum opulus Introduction Some Other Common Names: American cranberrybush, guelder rose, dog rowan, *European cranberry tree, marsh alder, rose elder, red elder, water elder, dog elder, gatten tree, whitten tree, ople tree, snowball tree, crampbark Quick Links: FAQs || Plant Description || Insect Pests || Pruning Ait (formerly known as Viburnum trilobum) Highbush Cranberry (not a true cranberry) Viburnum opulus var.
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