Compact American Cranberrybush Viburnum
Compact American Cranberrybush Viburnum
The Native Cranberrybush in a More Compact Form
Compact American Cranberrybush (Viburnum trilobum 'Compactum') delivers all the wildlife value and three-season beauty of our native cranberrybush in a smaller, denser package that fits real yards. White lacecap flowers cover it in spring, glossy maple-like leaves turn fiery red in fall, and bright red, cranberry-like berries follow to feed birds into winter. Tough, deer-resistant, and adaptable, it's a perfect native shrub for foundations and borders in Minnetonka, Lakeville, and Blaine.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Viburnum trilobum 'Compactum' |
| Mature Size | 5–6 ft tall and wide |
| Hardiness Zone | Zone 2–7 (fully hardy across Minnesota) |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Bloom Time | Spring (white lacecap clusters) |
| Fruit | Red, cranberry-like berries |
| Soil | Adaptable; tolerates moist and average soils |
Landscape Uses
Use Compact American Cranberrybush in foundation plantings, mixed and native borders, low hedges, and wildlife gardens where a full-size cranberrybush would be too large. It supports pollinators and birds and offers excellent fall color.
Best Time to Plant
Plant in spring or early fall. This tough native establishes easily across Minnesota.
How to Plant
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill, water in well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep, keeping mulch off the stems.
Watering
First Year: Water deeply 2–3 times per week to establish the roots.
After Year One: Water during dry spells; it prefers average to moist soil.
Drip Irrigation: A drip line or soaker hose keeps the root zone evenly moist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does it get?
About 5–6 feet tall and wide, noticeably smaller than the standard cranberrybush.
Is it a Minnesota native?
Yes, it's a compact selection of native American cranberrybush.
Does it produce berries?
Yes, bright red, cranberry-like berries that birds enjoy and persist into winter.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes, viburnums are generally deer-resistant.
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Pair Compact American Cranberrybush with Wentworth and our other native viburnums for a wildlife-friendly planting.
How Many Compact American Cranberrybush Do I Need?
At 5–6 ft tall and wide, this is an easy hedging size. Plant on 4–5 ft centers for a dense informal hedge or foundation run, or use a group of 3 spaced 5 ft apart in a wildlife border.
| Hedge Length | Plants Needed (4–5 ft spacing) |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 3 plants |
| 20 ft | 4–5 plants |
| 30 ft | 6–7 plants |
| 40 ft | 8–9 plants |
Compact American Cranberrybush Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: White lacecap flower clusters cover the shrub, feeding native pollinators.
- Summer: Glossy, maple-like green leaves form a dense, tidy 5–6 ft mound.
- Fall: Foliage turns fiery red while clusters of bright cranberry-like berries ripen.
- Winter: Red berries persist on bare stems, feeding birds and bringing color against the snow.
At a Glance
✔ Minnesota Native ✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Rain-Garden / Wet-Soil ✔ Shade-Tolerant ✔ Four-Season Interest
Plant It With
- Wentworth Viburnum — the body's own pick: a full-size native cranberrybush to anchor the back of the planting.
- Blue Muffin Viburnum — native arrowwood with blue berries; cross-genus berry buffet for the birds.
- Redwing Viburnum — red-tinged native cousin that extends the cranberrybush show.
- Gray Dogwood — fellow Minnesota native with white berries for a layered wildlife border.
Is Compact American Cranberrybush Right for Your Yard?
Choose it if you want true native wildlife value in a foundation-friendly 5–6 ft package — it takes full sun to part shade, handles moist soil, resists deer, and gives flowers, fall fire, and winter berries. It's not a fit for hot, dry, sandy sites: it prefers average-to-moist ground and will struggle in drought-prone corners without supplemental water.