Viburnum trilobum 'Phillips'

Phillips Highbush Cranberry is a stunning, large deciduous shrub that produces beautiful flowers, and attractive edible berries. The showy fruit appears in large, drooping clusters of wine-red coloured berries that persist into early winter. The flavour of Phillips fruit is tart, but less bitter than other Highbush Cranberries. Best used in jams, jellies, and juices.

Selected by Elwyn Meader and introduced by the University of New Hampshire in 1956, Phillips is a broad, upright clone of Viburnum trilobum that grows 8 to 10 feet tall with an equal spread. It was selected for its abundant berry set, at even a very early age.

The magnificent flowers are large, flat lacecaps of tiny fertile florets surrounded by an outer ring of creamy white, sterile florets. The attractive foliage has three-lobes and looks similar to a maple leaf. In the fall, the leaves change to a glorious bright burgundy to scarlet red in colour.

Phillips is a variety of the popular native Highbush Cranberry, (Viburnum trilobum) and is a great choice for naturalization. This shrub is highly beneficial for wildlife; such as, birds and small mammals, as well as local bees and butterflies.

Phillips Highbush Cranberry is very cold hardy (zone 3a), and easy to grow. Viburnum trilobum 'Phillips' is only partially self-fertile. Planting other varieties of Highbush Cranberry nearby (such as 'Wentworth') is required to increase fruit production. Best planted in a moist to wet area with full sun. Phillips American Cranberry bush tolerates seasonally flooded areas like shorelines or rain gardens.