Plant of the Month
Cranberries by Dave Dister
We usually think of cranberries as an integral part of the Thanksgiving tradition. The cranberry of commerce is the same as our native large cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) that inhabits bogs from eastern Canada south to Ohio, Virginia, and the Appalachian mountain peaks. A member of the heath family, the cranberry is a small trailing and mat-forming shrub with erect stems to 6 or 8 inches tall. There are many small alternate oblong evergreen leaves on each stem, and the nodding pointed pink flowers are formed in summer. The fruit ripens in early fall and is conspicuously red, and 2/5 to 4/5 inch in width. Michigan is also within the range of the small cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos) which has fruit half the size of the large cranberry. Because true cranberries grow so low to the ground, the bird species most likely to eat them include ruffed grouse and wild turkeys. However, there are many small mammals that live in cranberry habitats, as well as white-tailed deer and moose, that no doubt find them edible.
Lastly, the plant widely known as highbush cranberry (Viburnum opulus) is not a true cranberry or even remotely related, but rather is a tall shrub in the honeysuckle family. Of course, the berries resemble true cranberries. Although trying to grow your own true cranberries requires a boggy site with mucky-sandy soil, highbush cranberry can grow in dry to moist sites. Unfortunately, if you’re looking to add highbush cranberries to your bird garden, most nurseries sell only the European variety which is not as appealing to birds, and which can become invasive. Therefore, insist on American highbush cranberry if you desire this plant in your landscape.
Plant of the Month Archives
December 2008 - Witch Hazel
January 2009 - Winterberry
March 2009 - Desert Ironwood
April 2009 - Marsh Marigold
May 2009 - Serviceberry
June 2009 - Choke Cherry
July 2009 - Northern Bush Honeysuckle
August 2009 - Butterfly-weed
September 2009 - Firecracker bush
October 2009 - Black Swallow-wort
November 2009 - Cranberries