American highbush cranberry Viburnum trilobum
American highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Viburnaceae family, native to Northern North America. It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -45 °C (-49 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
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American highbush cranberry at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Viburnaceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -45 °C (-49 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 2) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: cooked berries (sour jelly) |
| Native to | Northern North America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is American highbush cranberry toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: raw berries
Raw berries in quantity cause stomach upset; eat cooked.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with American highbush cranberry
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about American highbush cranberry
- How far apart should I plant American highbush cranberry?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft).
- Does American highbush cranberry need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does American highbush cranberry need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is American highbush cranberry?
- It tolerates about -45 °C (-49 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 2.
- When does American highbush cranberry flower?
- From about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is American highbush cranberry poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Raw berries in quantity cause stomach upset; eat cooked.
- What grows well with American highbush cranberry?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for American highbush cranberry. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- VASCAN: Database of Vascular Plants of Canada, Canadensys / Université de Montréal Biodiversity Centre
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Not a true cranberry: lacecap flowers, scarlet berries that hang into winter and maple-like leaves that turn red. Also treated as Viburnum opulus var. americanum.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Korean spice viburnum Viburnum carlesii
- Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum) Viburnum plicatum
- Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum) Viburnum farreri
- Arrowwood viburnum Viburnum dentatum
- Laurustinus Viburnum tinus
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens