Bailey Compact Cranberrybush Viburnum

Bailey Compact American Cranberrybush Viburnum (Viburnum opulus var. americanum 'Bailey Compact')

Bailey Compact American Cranberrybush Viburnum is a dense, cold-hardy shrub that brings privacy and seasonal color without needing a large footprint. It fills in with a rounded, full habit that makes borders and property lines look more finished. White spring flower clusters brighten the plant early, and the foliage transitions to strong red tones in fall for a reliable seasonal payoff. When fruit is present, red berries add extra late-season interest and can draw birds into the landscape.

Distinctive Features

This compact form of American cranberrybush viburnum develops a rounded, multi-stemmed structure with maple-like, three-lobed leaves that hold a clean green look through summer. In late spring, it produces flat clusters of small white flowers, followed by red fruit that may be light when plants are young and is improved by a compatible viburnum nearby for pollination. Fall foliage is a standout feature, often shifting into deep red tones that carry the plant late into the season. The overall look is sturdy and substantial, with a naturally dense habit that works well for low hedging and screening.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade, with best density and fall color in full sun.
• Soil: Average to moist, well-drained soil is ideal, and it tolerates heavier soils when drainage is acceptable.
• Water: Moderate water to establish, then average moisture with deep watering during extended dry periods.
• USDA Zones: Zones 2 to 7.
• Mature Size: About 5 to 6 feet tall and about 5 to 6 feet wide.
• Flower and Fruit: White flowers in late spring and red fruit that is often heavier with cross-pollination.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a bold anchor where spring bloom and red fall color create a clear seasonal statement.
• Screening: Plant in rows or staggered groups to build privacy with a natural, full look.
• Informal Hedges: Use as a compact hedge that stays dense without constant shaping.
• Back-of-Border Structure: Place behind perennials and smaller shrubs to add depth and a clean green backdrop.
• Wildlife Plantings: Include in mixed plantings where flowers support pollinators and fruit can support birds when present.
• Moist Site Planting: Use where soils stay moderately moist, as long as the site does not remain waterlogged.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Prune right after flowering if shaping is needed, since next season's blooms form on older wood.
• Watering: Water regularly the first growing season, then supplement during drought to keep growth steady.
• Mulching: Mulch to conserve moisture and protect roots while keeping mulch pulled back from the stems.
• Feeding: Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak, since average soils are usually sufficient.
• Pollination: Plant near another compatible cranberrybush viburnum if consistent fruit is important to you.

Why Choose Bailey Compact American Cranberrybush Viburnum?

• Compact Privacy: Dense branching creates screening value in a more manageable size.
• Cold Hardiness: Reliable performance in colder climates supports long-term landscape planning.
• Fall Color: Strong red foliage provides a late-season payoff that reads from a distance.
• Spring Bloom: White flower clusters add an early seasonal highlight and support pollinators.
• Landscape Versatility: Works as a hedge, screen, or background shrub in both designed and naturalistic plantings.

If you want a compact shrub that still delivers structure and seasonal payoff, Bailey Compact American Cranberrybush Viburnum is a dependable choice. Give it sun, consistent moisture to establish, and enough room to form a full rounded shape. Used in repeating groups, it creates a clean, intentional backbone that carries the landscape from spring into fall.