Viburnum trilobum 'Wentworth'

Wentworth Highbush Cranberry is a wonderful, large deciduous shrub that produces lovely flowers, and attractive, edible berries. The showy, scarlet-red fruit appears in large, drooping clusters that persist into early winter. The flavour of Wentworth is tart, and slightly more sour than other Highbush Cranberries. Best used in jams, jellies, and juices.

Selected in the early 1900's by Frank Andrews for its heavy fruit set. Viburnum trilobum 'Wentworth' also produces larger yields, and ripens slightly earlier than other Viburnum trilobum cultivars. Wentworth is not self-fertile, and requires other varieties of Highbush Cranberry, like Phillips Highbush Cranberry, nearby to produce fruit.

The beautiful flowers are large, flat lacecaps of tiny florets surrounded by an outer ring of showy, white florets. The attractive foliage has three-lobes, and looks similar to a maple leaf. Wentworth Highbush Cranberry has exceptionally striking fall colour. The leaves turn a spectacular burgundy red. It may have the best red fall colour of all American cranberry.

Wentworth is a variety of the popular native shrub Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum); and is a great choice for naturalization. This shrub is highly beneficial for wildlife, like birds and small mammals, as well as local pollinators, like bees and butterflies. Highbush Cranberry is very cold hardy (zone 3), and easy to grow. It can reach 10-12' tall and wide. Best planted in a moist to wet area with full sun. Wentworth American Cranberry bush tolerates seasonally flooded areas like shorelines or rain gardens.