Description

There is often confusion between Highbush and Lowbush Cranberry, but a few points can straighten this out. First, the scientific names of Viburnum opulus for Highbush and Viburnum edule for Lowbush can be used to distinguish them as there are no other possible names to confuse them with that way. Otherwise Mooseberry, Squashberry, Pembina, Highbush and Lowbush seem to get used interchangeably depending on the region and cultural background for 2 different plants! As Viburnum opulus is the taller of the 2 at maturity (13-16′ in height) vs. Viburnum edule (2-8′), I opt for the common name of Highbush Cranberry for it, as it just makes more sense that way. Leaves of Viburnum opulus are more deeply cut (Viburnum edule’s remind me more of dinosaur feet as they are more blunt) and when in flower, the main cluster of white flowers of a Viburnum opulus has a secondary ring of flowers surrounding it (Viburnum edule just has the main cluster of white flowers).

Both produce tart red berries that can be used to make juice and jelly, but I find Highbush Cranberry seems to produce more. Waiting until after a first frost to pick them will sweeten them somewhat. They are pretty shrubs with bulbous paired red buds in the early spring giving way to shiny green leaves, delicate clusters of white flowers, followed by the bright red red berries and leaves changing to a beautiful red wine colour in the fall.

Medicinally used cramp bark comes from the Highbush Cranberry and it is a good shrub to attract wildlife.