Viburnum Opulus: Americanum Variety's Fragrant Appeal

Viburnum opulus var. americanum, also known as the American Cranberrybush, is a dense, rounded, deciduous shrub with upright spreading or arching branches. It produces showy, lacy, white flowers in flat cymes, 3 inches wide, of tiny fertile florets surrounded by an outer ring of larger sterile florets. The flowers are rich in nectar and are loved by butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. They are also fragrant, with some smelling of musk, while others produce no fragrance at all. In late summer, the blooms give way to drooping clusters of ornamental bright red berries that persist from fall through early winter.

Viburnum opulus var. americanum is also known as the American Cranberrybush

The foliage of the American Cranberrybush consists of three-lobed, maple-like, dark green leaves that turn a brilliant red in the fall. The shrub typically grows to a height of 8-12 feet, with a similar spread. The leaves are simple, opposite, 3-lobed, 5-14 cm long, with a rounded or truncate base and acuminate lobes. The fall colour ranges from yellow to red-purple.

The flowers of the American Cranberrybush are fragrant, with a sweet scent. Some varieties of Viburnum, such as Viburnum dilatatum, have a musky fragrance, while others produce no fragrance at all.

It is a dense, rounded, deciduous shrub

Viburnum opulus var. americanum, also known as American Cranberrybush, is a dense, rounded, deciduous shrub with upright, spreading, or arching branches. It is a broadleaf deciduous shrub, growing to a height of 8-12 ft (2.1-3.5 m) with a similar spread. The leaves are simple, opposite, 3-lobed, 5-14 cm long, with a rounded or truncate base, acuminate lobes, and a coarsely toothed margin. The leaves are dark green above, with soft hairs on the veins below, and the petiole is 13-25 mm long, with a shallow grove and usually sticky glands. In spring, it produces showy, lacy, white flowers in flat cymes, 3 in. wide (7 cm), of tiny fertile florets surrounded by an outer ring of larger sterile florets. The flowers are rich in nectar, attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. In late summer, the blooms give way to drooping clusters of ornamental bright red berries that persist from fall through early winter. The berries are attractive to birds and other wildlife, and the leaves turn a brilliant red in the fall. The fruits can be eaten fresh or used to make jams and preserves.

It has white flowers in spring

Viburnum opulus var. americanum, also known as the American Cranberrybush, is a dense, rounded, deciduous shrub with upright, spreading or arching branches. In spring, it produces showy, lacy, white flowers in flat cymes, 3 inches wide (7 cm), of tiny fertile florets surrounded by an outer ring of larger sterile florets. These outer florets are the showy, sterile flowers, which are 2 cm across, while the inner florets are inconspicuous, with yellow anthers. The flowers are rich in nectar, attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

The fragrance of Viburnum opulus var. americanum flowers can vary. Some Viburnum species have a sweet fragrance, while others produce no fragrance at all. The fragrance of the flowers may depend on the specific variety or cultivar.

The flowers are followed by berries

Viburnum opulus var. americanum, also known as American Cranberrybush, is a dense, rounded, deciduous shrub with upright, spreading or arching branches. In spring, it produces showy, lacy, white flowers in flat cymes, 3 inches wide (7 cm), of tiny fertile florets surrounded by an outer ring of larger sterile florets. Rich in nectar, they are loved by butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. The flowers are followed by berries. In late summer, the attractive blooms give way to drooping clusters of ornamental bright red berries that persist from fall through early winter. Showy when viewed up close or from a short distance, they often persist into winter and are quite attractive to birds and wildlife. The fruits can be eaten fresh from the shrub or used to make jams and preserves.

If late-season and autumn berries are desired, then planting two of a species will ensure fruit set. For instance, Viburnum dilatatum 'Erie' and V. dilatatum 'Michael Dodge' will pollinate each other and produce fruit. Viburnum cassinoides is closely allied with V. nudum; but if the flowering times do not overlap then there will be no fruit. Planting V. nudum 'Winterthur' in proximity with V. nudum var. angustifolium, 'Longwood', 'Moonshine' or 'Pink Beauty' will also result in an abundance of berries.

The leaves turn red in the fall

Viburnum opulus var. americanum, also known as the American Cranberrybush, is a dense, rounded, deciduous shrub with upright spreading or arching branches. In spring, it produces showy, lacy, white flowers in flat cymes, 3 inches wide (7 cm), of tiny fertile florets surrounded by an outer ring of larger sterile florets. Rich in nectar, they are loved by butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. In late summer, the attractive blooms give way to drooping clusters of ornamental bright red berries that persist from fall through early winter.

The leaves of the Viburnum opulus var. americanum turn a brilliant red in the fall. The foliage is elegant, with three-lobed, maple-like, dark green leaves. The fall colour ranges from yellow to red-purple.

Viburnum opulus var. americanum is a fantastic, multi-season garden shrub. The flowers are often large and showy, with some varieties having a heady sweet fragrance. Some smell of musk (Viburnum dilatatum), while others produce no fragrance at all. The flowers are followed by berries. If late-season and autumn berries are desired, then planting two of a species will ensure fruit set. For example, Viburnum dilatatum 'Erie' and V. dilatatum 'Michael Dodge' will pollinate each other and produce fruit.

Frequently asked questions