Highbush Cranberry
Forum Archives
Cathyinwa
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Feb-23-2005 at 2:02pm
Hi Everyone,
Spring is in the air and let the planting begin. I live in the north part of Whatcom county. It's my first winter here and the low so far has been 7 degrees. We found out that some of our pipes from the well freeze at that temperature.
The local conservation district is having a plant sale of native plants. Here's a link to it if you want to check it out: http://www.whatcomcd.org/
I was wondering if anyone has grown the highbush cranberry. How did it look and where did you plant it?
I'm considering putting some under some old cherry and apple trees. It's fairly wet there in the winter. We have clay soil that holds the water.
Thanks for any replies.
Cathy
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Feb-23-2005 at 4:02pm
I grow viburnum trilobum. I planted it in a mostly sunny area. It does enjoy a moist soil. They do recommend you put the highbrush cranberry (viburnum edule) in a sunny spot. Will there be enough sunshine under the apple and cherry trees? Good luck.
Jeanne
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Feb-24-2005 at 7:19pm
In Mi highbush cranberry is planted all over and I do have to say I have seen it in dappled shade. The ones I am thinking of were kept pruned a little bit as they were next to the driveway. They were quite healthy and quite mature plants. I think they are lovely and once they are established they don't need care from you. Mi also has either sandy or clay soil or a mix, (well ok there is other kinds also!) but I cannot say for sure what kind of soil they grew on there but there were some next to the major dirt road and they took alot of abuse and these were very healthy plants. SO I guess I think they survive on neglect.
~BakingBarb
Cathyinwa
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Feb-24-2005 at 8:45pm
Thanks for your answers.
The cherry and apple tree are old and are not in good shape. Quite a bit of sun get through them. There were blackberry and rosehips growing under them.
When I removed all the vine we discovered that it was lower around the trees and there was standing water. We drained the water but it is still very damp.
Thanks
Cathy
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Feb-25-2005 at 12:10pm
Are the apple and cherry trees in standing water, Cathy? Both trees do not enjoy a standing water situation, maybe that is why they are failing. For the standing water, you could plant natives that like a moist soil such as the cranberry, willows, red-osier dogwood, various carex and juncus. Here's an interesting article on wetlands or you could put in a pond to hold the water or a french drain.
Jeanne
Cathyinwa
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Feb-25-2005 at 5:41pm
I didn't think the water would be good for the trees either. We've been in this house less than a year. The house is new and the acre it is on was a mess. Lots of blackberries.
The trees are near the ditch and the road. I guess when they dug the ditch they just threw the dirt between the ditch and the trees creating a moat. We've dug outlets for the water around the trees and we'll be removing the levee this spring.
The apple trees have not been pruned in years and we can't reach any of the apples. But the deer love them so we're going to leave the apples for them.
We have put in one french drain along our hill to a drain in the low spot in yard. The low spot would be a good place for a pond but with a toddler I don't want a pond.
We've got lots of work to do this summer.
Thanks
Cathy
For more information about High Bush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum), visit the Plant Gallery and Growing Guide.
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton