Golden Acre Home & Garden Centre's Plant Library

Other Names:  European Highbush Cranberry

Description:

New foliage emerges vivid red, and resembles little maple leaves; showy clusters of white lacecap flowers in spring followed by bright red fruit into winter, good fall color; hardy and adaptable

Ornamental Features

Oh Canada™ Cranberry Bush features showy white lacecap flowers held atop the branches from mid to late spring. The red fruits are held in abundance in spectacular clusters from late summer to late winter. It has gold-variegated yellow foliage with hints of lime green which emerges red in spring. The serrated lobed leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. The smooth gray bark and gold branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Oh Canada™ Cranberry Bush is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects

Oh Canada™ Cranberry Bush is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Oh Canada™ Cranberry Bush will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.