Description
The American cranberry bush is a wonderful native shrub that provides cover and fruit. Known for attracting birds with its bright red berries. In many of its native growing areas it is rare, threatened or endangered. Natively found from Washington state east all the way to the northern parts of Virginia.
As a member of the honeysuckle family, it is not considered a true cranberry. The lowbush cranberry is a member of the Vaccinium family, and it is a true cranberry. Despite not being a true cranberry, the berries are edible. They are quite bitter when raw but can be cooked. They make fantastic jelly, jam, sauce or even juice. Highbush cranberries are very rich in vitamin C.
These cranberry bushes can be grown for human consumption, to attract birds or even to make a dense hedge for screening.
