Description
Deciduous North American shrub
Description: Broad, flat-topped clusters of white flowers in late spring; bright red fruits in late summer persist overwinter; lustrous, deeply lobed, dark green foliage turns yellow to red-purple in the fall
Habit: Grows to 12 feet high and 8 to 12 feet wide
Culture: Prefers sun or partial shade and well-drained, moist soil
Hardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zone 2
Origin: North America
Attributes: Fall color, showy fruit
Jefferson documented
The American Cranberry Bush grows natively from New Brunswick and British Columbia south to New York, Michigan, South Dakota, and Oregon. It is similar to the European Cranberry Bush in form and flower, but is not readily available in the nursery trade. In 1791 Thomas Jefferson ordered "bush cranberries, all you have" from the William Prince Nursery on Long Island. Included in his list were many native trees and shrubs as well as fruits and roses. Although the fruits are edible and used in preserves and jellies, birds are not known to eat them.
This plant will ship bare root. Approximately 18-24" tall.
Bare root planting tips:
~ If you can't plant immediately, store your plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center.
~ Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You'll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery.
~ Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.
