Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush
Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush
Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush is a compact selection of the native MN cranberry bush โ white spring flowers, bright red berries, and brilliant red fall color make it a four-season standout for Stillwater, Hudson, and Bayport gardens.
About Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush
| Botanical Name | Viburnum trilobum 'Bailey Compact' |
| Mature Size | 5-6ft tall ร 5-6ft wide |
| Bloom / Foliage | Lacy white flower clusters May-June; bright red berries through winter; red fall color |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to part shade. Best bloom in full sun. |
| Water Needs | Moderate. Drought-tolerant once established. |
| Soil | Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Adapts to most well-drained soils. |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-8 (Twin Cities is zone 4bโ5a). Reliable to -40ยฐF. |
| Deer Resistance | Moderately deer-resistant |
| Foliage | Deciduous โ clean green leaves, vivid red or burgundy fall color |
| Growth Rate | Moderate โ 12-18 inches per year |
Why You'll Love Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush
Multi-season interest
White spring flowers, summer berries (red, blue, or black), and brilliant fall foliage make viburnums one of the most multi-season-interesting shrubs available.
Native pollinator + bird gardens
Native viburnums feed pollinators in spring and birds in fall when berries ripen. Top-tier wildlife plant for Minnesota landscapes.
Privacy + screening
Larger viburnums form excellent dense screens. Pair with evergreens to create year-round privacy with seasonal color.
Compact native viburnum with red berries and red fall color
Compact form of native MN cranberry bush โ four seasons of interest. That's why Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush has earned a spot in our Minnesota launch catalog โ it's a viburnum we're confident will thrive in your Twin Cities landscape.
Planting Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush in the Twin Cities
Best planting window: Spring (mid-April through early June) or early fall (late August through late September). Avoid planting during peak summer heat โ Twin Cities heat waves can stress newly installed root balls.
Site selection: Full sun to part shade. Best bloom in full sun. Choose a location with the mature size of 5-6ft tall ร 5-6ft wide in mind โ give Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush room to fill out without crowding fences, sidewalks, or neighboring plants.
Soil prep: Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Adapts to most well-drained soils. If your Twin Cities yard has heavy clay (common in Plymouth, Eden Prairie, and Wayzata), amend the planting hole with 25-30% compost to improve drainage. For sandy soils in parts of Anoka and Washington counties, mix in compost to improve water retention.
How to plant:
- Dig a hole 2ร the width of the root ball and the same depth.
- Loosen the sides of the hole โ slick clay walls block root expansion.
- Set Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush so the top of the root ball is 1-2" above grade.
- Backfill with native soil mixed 25% with compost. Tamp gently.
- Water deeply (5+ gallons) immediately after planting.
- Mulch 2-3" deep, keeping mulch 2" away from the stem.
Watering & Care
First year (establishment): Water deeply 1-2ร per week from April through October. Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush needs consistent moisture to develop a strong root system for its first Minnesota winter. Check soil moisture 4-6" deep โ water when the top 2-3" feels dry.
Established (year 2+): Moderate. Drought-tolerant once established. During typical Twin Cities summers, supplemental water during 2+ week dry spells is enough.
Winter prep: Water deeply in late October before ground freeze โ this protects Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush through dry winter winds. Apply a fresh 2-3" layer of mulch in November to insulate the root zone through deep freezes.
Pruning: Prune lightly after bloom in late spring. Viburnums bloom on old wood โ heavy spring pruning removes flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush is rated for zones 3-8 (Twin Cities is zone 4bโ5a) โ the Twin Cities metro is zone 4bโ5a, well within its hardiness range. Compact form of native MN cranberry bush โ four seasons of interest.
How fast does Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush grow?
Moderate โ 12-18 inches per year. Expect mature size (5-6ft tall ร 5-6ft wide) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.
Will deer eat Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush?
Moderately deer-resistant. In high-deer-pressure suburbs (Wayzata, Stillwater, Hudson), supplemental fencing or repellents may help young plants establish.
Can I plant Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush in part shade?
Full sun to part shade. Best bloom in full sun.
What size gallon should I buy?
We typically offer Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush in #2, #5, #10, and sometimes larger gallon sizes. Smaller sizes establish faster and cost less; larger sizes give instant impact. For most Twin Cities residential landscapes, #5 or #10 gallon is the sweet spot.
Where We Deliver
Three Timbers Minnesota delivers and installs Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush across the Twin Cities metro โ Minneapolis, St. Paul, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Bloomington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Lakeville, Eagan, Roseville, Shoreview, Stillwater, Woodbury, Hudson, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Chanhassen, Excelsior, Victoria, Chaska, and surrounding communities. Live Bailey Compact American Cranberry Bush grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.