A Native Cranberrybush for Three Seasons and Wildlife

Wentworth Viburnum (Viburnum trilobum 'Wentworth') is a superb selection of our native American cranberrybush, offering something in every season: flat-topped clusters of white lacecap flowers in spring, glossy maple-like foliage in summer, brilliant red fall color, and bright red, edible, cranberry-like berries that persist into winter to feed birds. Tough, adaptable, and deer-resistant, this large native shrub makes an excellent hedge or screen in Edina, Maple Grove, and Woodbury.

Landscape Uses

Use Wentworth as a hedge, screen, or large specimen in borders, native and pollinator plantings, and wildlife gardens. Its spring flowers feed pollinators, the berries support birds (and make a tart preserve), and the fall color is outstanding.

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 and tolerates short dry periods.
Drip Irrigation: A drip line or soaker hose keeps the root zone evenly moist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the berries edible?
Yes, the tart, cranberry-like fruit is edible and can be used for preserves, though birds love it too.

Is it a Minnesota native?
Yes, American cranberrybush is native to Minnesota.

How big does it get?
About 8–10 feet tall and wide, making it a fine hedge or screen.

Is it deer resistant?
Yes, viburnums are generally deer-resistant.

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Pair Wentworth with our other native viburnums and pollinator shrubs for a wildlife-friendly hedge or border.

How Many Wentworth Viburnum Do I Need?

Wentworth matures to a big 8–10 ft shrub. For a screen or informal native hedge, space plants about 6 ft on center (they'll knit together while keeping an open, natural form):

As a specimen or in a wildlife planting, set Wentworth singly or in groups of 3 about 6–8 ft apart so each shrub has room to show its layered form, fall color, and berries.

Wentworth Viburnum Season-by-Season in Minnesota

• Spring: Flat-topped white lacecap flower clusters cover the shrub, feeding native bees and butterflies.
• Summer: Glossy, maple-like green foliage forms a dense screen; green fruit clusters begin to swell.
• Fall: Foliage turns brilliant red and bright cranberry-red berries ripen — outstanding color and a feast for birds.
• Winter: Berries the birds haven't taken persist red against the snow on a sturdy branch framework.

At a Glance

✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Rain-Garden / Wet-Soil   ✔ Four-Season Interest   ✔ Edible

Plant It With

• Mohican Viburnum — a tidy companion viburnum for a layered, wildlife-friendly hedge.
• Viking Aronia — another native berry shrub that doubles the fall color and bird food.
• Red Sprite Winterberry — a native holly whose red winter berries carry the wildlife season further.
• Gro-Low Sumac — a low native groundcover to fill in around the base with matching fall color.

Is Wentworth Viburnum Right for Your Yard?

Wentworth is a superb choice for a large native or wildlife hedge in full sun to part shade, on average-to-moist soil — it even handles the damp edge of a rain garden, and deer mostly leave it be. It's not the right pick for a tight, small space or a formal clipped hedge: give it room for its 8–10 ft frame, or choose a more compact shrub instead.