Edible viburnums, also known as highbush cranberries, are worth a closer look for their beauty and their value as edible berries. Although no relation to real cranberries (
Vaccinium macrocarpon
), these viburnums taste similar, produce more berries and are easier to grow than cranberries.
Look for these varieties:
Viburnum opulus (also called Guelder rose):
A handsome, open, 10-foot shrub with maple-like lobed leaves. In spring, the dark-green leaves emerge, followed by flat clusters of small, white flowers. Shiny, intensely red fruits the size of blueberries color up in summer and fall
V. opulus `Compactum'
-- Same as above but only 4 to 5 feet tall.
V. opulus `Aureum'
-- Similar to V. opulus but has yellow to lime foliage. It needs a cool site in part shade or it will scorch.
V. trilobum
-- An upright, deciduous shrub to 15 feet tall with dense maple-like leaves. It produces beautiful, white hydrangea-like flowers in late spring and brilliant red, translucent berries in late summer to early fall. These berries are sour, but with sweetening are very tasty. Especially good are the cultivars `Philips,' with higher-quality fruit, and `Wentworth,' which is hardy to Zone 2.
PLANTING AND CARE
Plant these viburnums in well-drained soil in full sun to part shade, depending on the variety. Don't crowd the plants, or their beautiful form and production of flowers and berries might suffer. An occasional light pruning and an annual 2 inches of mulch and rotted manure are all the plants need.
-- Vern Nelson
If you want to automatically receive a daily homes and gardens tip, sign up here.