cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon
USDA zones3 to 7
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size3 to 6 inches tall1 to 6 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- White to pink
- Foliage color
- Brown/copper, green, white
- Soil types
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is a shrub for food gardens, ground cover, and rain gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and average to wet, loamy soil. Glossy evergreen leaves look bronzy in spring and dark green in summer, and nodding pinkish-white flowers give way to dark red fruit. You can pick the berries in the fall. Keep the roots cold and moist.
Pairs well with Swamp milkweed, Black chokeberry, and Royal fern.
Native range
North America.