Highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum)
Highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum)
The highbush cranberry is not actually related to the true cranberry but much easier to grow.
In America where it comes from it has many names, Pimbina or Summerberry
to name but a few.
A fairly large shrub it will reach about 3 m in height, requiring nothing special in the soil line it will put up with a little shade though the highbush cranberry
will do much better in full sun. It has clusters of white flowers in early summer with a profusion of shiny, scarlet berries in the autumn.
These will hang on the bushes into November and are improved by a little frost. Although the sweetness of the fruits can vary from bush to bush they have been widely used as a Cranberry substitute over the years as they share that same slight bitterness.
Please note, these plants are not self-fertile!.