Audubon® Native American Highbush Cranberrybush Viburnum

It’s not a true Cranberry Bush, but the American Cranberrybush Viburnum, also known as the Highbush Cranberry, does sport clusters of similar-looking, succulent red fruits. Like cranberries, its fruits are high in vitamin C, but they’re sour, and taste much better in jellies and sauces. Bird-lovers will want to leave the berries on the plant for the robins, cardinals, bluebirds, and Cedar Waxwings to enjoy. Birds will also forage on the caterpillars that American Cranberrybush sustains. Many of these caterpillars—if they escape the birds—become wonderful adults that you’ll want in your garden. The spring azure butterfly is one, and the hummingbird clearwing moth is another.

Cold-climate gardeners, this one’s for you! American Cranberrybush Viburnum is native to Canada, the Upper Midwest, New England, and Washington State, and it’s hardy to 50 below zero. You’ll find it growing in moist or even boggy areas in the wild. American Cranberrybush is distinguished from our other native Viburnums by virtue of its lacecap flower clusters. Like some Hydrangeas, it has a mass of tiny, fertile blossoms, which feed native miner bees, sweat bees, and hoverflies, surrounded by a ring of showy sterile flowers, which catch the insects’ (and our) attention.

Autumn foliage to light up your garden! When the days start to get chilly, American Cranberrybush Viburnum puts on another show. The Maple-like leaves morph from green to crimson-red, often with hints of purple and gold. A fabulous fall finale.