American Cranberry

The american cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is a lovely addition to any home landscape, with edible berries that are very similar in appearance/taste to a cranberry, but are not a true cranberry. This shrub moderate grower pushing out about 2 feet per year into a nicely rounded shape, reaching up to 10 feet wide/tall, it can be easily pruned for a smaller overall size. This is a cold loving plant, growing in USDA zones 2-7, but it does not care for heat or times of drought. This plant brings 3 seasons of attraction to your yard. Blooming in the spring with creamy, white flowers against dark green foliage. In the fall season the leaves turn shades of red, yellow and purple. The berries begin to ripen into a brilliant red that can persist throughout the winter providing food for you and woodland critters.

Location: The american cranberry is a full sun plant needing a minimum of 6 hours of direct light. They prefer alkaline, moist soil, but not standing water. They can tolerate drier soil once established but are not drought tolerant. These shrubs can be used as a deciduous hedge, a specimen plant, or a mixed border.

Planting directions: Once you have chosen your ideal location, it is time to plant your shrub. The ideal soil pH is 6.6 to 7.5 range for best results.

1) Dig a hole that is 3 times the width of the container that your cranberry arrived in and just as deeply.
2) Remove the plant from the container and lightly comb the roots with your fingers to loosen them so that they spread out more readily.
3) Position your plant so that it is upright and centered in the hole.
4) Tamp the soil as you backfill the hole with a mixture of 60% native soil and 40% compost or garden soil. Use a test kit to determine the pH of your soil, if the pH is low you can use lime to raise it.
5) Water the plant well when done to saturate all of the roots and the planting area. Make sure that the area drains well so that the roots are not in standing water.
6) Mulch the planting area with a 3-4 inch thick layer of mulch to protect the roots from the cold temperatures as well as helping the plant to conserve the moisture that you are giving the tree.

Watering: American cranberry bushes prefer soil that is moist but not wet. They like well draining soil, but do not like to dry out more than approximately 2 inches down before getting watered again. Frequency of watering will depend on your soil type, climate, and current weather conditions. They will need more water during times of heat and drought and less during cooler periods.

Pruning: American cranberries bloom on old wood, for maximum flowering prune the plant after it is done flowering so that it can form new buds before the following spring. They do not require much pruning except for shape, and if you want to control the overall height of the plant.

Fertilizing: American cranberries do not need much fertilization to thrive. If your leaves begin to fade in color, you can use a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer, providing too much nitrogen will inhibit flower and fruit production. Compost is a good fertilizer for these plants as it is not too high in nitrogen.