940-1 Highbush Cranberry (Packed In Units of 25 Seedlings)

Highbush Cranberry: (Viburnum trilobum) is a large, deciduous shrub native to North America, typically growing between 8 and 15 feet tall. It features arching stems, dense rounded forms, and simple, lobed maple-like leaves that, interestingly, are not related to maple trees. Known by various names, including crampbark and American cranberrybush, this plant produces bright red, tart berries that are excellent for making jellies and sauces, although they can emit a strong odor reminiscent of "dirty socks," which can be mitigated by adding citrus. The shrub also boasts unique clusters of flat-topped flowers, with showy, sterile, white petals surrounding tiny, fertile blooms. In addition to its culinary uses, such as in jellies where the berries are cooked, strained, and combined with sugar and pectin, it provides essential wildlife habitat, acting as a food source and nesting area for birds and mammals like deer and foxes. Moreover, the bark is utilized in traditional medicine to alleviate muscle tension and conditions like menstrual cramps and high blood pressure. Highbush cranberry thrives in moist, well-drained soils, typically found in wet woods or along stream banks, and takes about 3 to 5 years to establish before it starts blooming and producing fruit. Its attractive foliage and flowers make it a popular choice for landscaping, as it can serve as a natural screen or windbreak while supporting various pollinators.