American highbush cranberry
Viburnum trilobum
American highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Edible cranberry-like fruits persist through winter. Reliable Front Range performer.
On the CSU listmedium water6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wideDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Viburnum trilobum
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Bailey Compact', 'Wentworth'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10 ft apart (7 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Fall color
- Red
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zone 3 only (site it well away from structures)
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom time
- late spring
- Pollinator value
- high
Things to know before you plant
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Common problems on the Front Range
- Viburnum crown borer
- Aphids
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
- Fruit: wildlife (birds/wildlife).
Frequently asked questions
- Is American highbush cranberry good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, American highbush cranberry is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting American highbush cranberry?
- The main things to know: It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does American highbush cranberry get?
- It matures to about 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant American highbush cranberry?
- Space American highbush cranberry about 10 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 7 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is American highbush cranberry hardy on the Front Range?
- American highbush cranberry is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does American highbush cranberry need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does American highbush cranberry grow?
- American highbush cranberry is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- What color does American highbush cranberry turn in fall?
- American highbush cranberry turns red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is American highbush cranberry native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is American highbush cranberry deer-resistant?
- American highbush cranberry is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is American highbush cranberry a good firewise plant near the house?
- American highbush cranberry is suitable in defensible-space zone 3 only, site it well away from structures. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is American highbush cranberry prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- American highbush cranberry can be affected by viburnum crown borer and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
