American Cranberrybush Viburnum

American Cranberrybush Viburnum (Viburnum trilobum)

American Cranberrybush Viburnum is a large, hardy shrub that brings privacy, wildlife value, and strong seasonal color to the landscape. It fills out into a dense, multi-stemmed form that helps define property lines and soften the backdrop of a garden. Spring flowers brighten the plant early in the season, and the red fruit that follows adds a lasting pop of color. If you want a shrub that looks intentional from spring through winter, this one delivers with minimal fuss once established.

Distinctive Features

This viburnum is known for its maple-like, three-lobed leaves, showy white spring flower clusters, and bright red fruit that resembles cranberries. Flowers appear in flat-topped clusters in spring, followed by red drupes that develop in late summer and can persist into fall and winter depending on wildlife pressure. Summer foliage is deep green, then shifts into yellow to red-purple tones in fall for a strong seasonal finish. The overall habit is upright to arching and densely branched, making it a dependable choice when you want structure and screening.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade, with best flowering and fruiting in full sun.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil is ideal, and it tolerates heavier soils if drainage is acceptable.
• Water: Moderate water, with consistent moisture during establishment and deep watering during extended dry periods.
• USDA Zones: Zones 2 to 7.
• Mature Size: About 8 to 12 feet tall and about 8 to 12 feet wide.
• Habit: Upright to arching, multi-stemmed, and dense.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a bold anchor shrub where spring bloom, red fruit, and fall color create a strong seasonal statement.
• Screening: Plant in rows or staggered groupings to build privacy and visual separation with a natural look.
• Informal Hedges: Use as a tall hedge that feels soft and landscape-friendly rather than rigid.
• Back-of-Border Structure: Place behind perennials and smaller shrubs to add depth and a dark green backdrop.
• Wildlife Plantings: Include in mixed borders to support birds and beneficial insects with fruit and shelter.
• Foundation Corners: Use at corners and broad walls where a larger shrub helps balance the scale of a home.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Prune right after flowering if needed, since next season's blooms form on older wood.
• Watering: Water regularly the first season, then supplement during drought to keep growth and fruiting consistent.
• Mulching: Mulch to conserve moisture and protect roots, keeping mulch pulled back from stems.
• Feeding: Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak, since average soils are usually sufficient.
• Spacing: Give it room to reach full width so the plant stays dense and easier to maintain.

Why Choose American Cranberrybush Viburnum?

• Four-Season Interest: Spring flowers, summer fruit development, fall color, and winter structure keep it relevant all year.
• Privacy Value: Dense branching and a large mature size make it effective for screening.
• Wildlife Support: Red fruit and dense cover help attract and support birds and other garden visitors.
• Cold Hardiness: Reliable performance in colder climates makes it a smart long-term planting.
• Landscape Versatility: Works as a specimen, hedge, or background shrub in both naturalistic and more designed settings.

For a shrub that can carry a planting with structure and seasonal payoff, American Cranberrybush Viburnum is a dependable choice. Give it sun, consistent moisture to establish, and enough space to mature, and it will reward you with bloom, fruit, and fall color for years. Used as a screen or a bold anchor, it helps the landscape feel finished and intentional.