Two Viburnums

America Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum)

There are two Viburnums in the woods: the hobblebush and the highbush cranberry. They have similar, but distinctive leaves, are both shrubs and both have red berries in late summer and red leaves in the fall. Hobblebush is so plentiful in the woods that the young shoots look like ground cover and we did not identify it for months. The highbush cranberry is not as plentiful as the hobblebush but looks so similar that we became confused. John and I have finally identified each plant and sorted out the photographs of each.

Hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides)

You can see the differences and similarities of the two species in the photos. The leaves are distinctive: the hobblebush highbush cranberry leaves look like maple leaves. The berries are very similar, also.

I found that Viburnum is now a popular landscaping shrub. They are from the honeysuckle family, change colors in the fall and make berries for the birds that winter with you. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service states "American cranberrybush is a good wildlife food and cover plant for small mammals and birds. Twigs are eaten by deer, moose and beaver. Fruits are a staple winter food for ruffed grouse and are eaten sparingly by pheasants and at least five species of songbirds. Humans find the fruit tart but edible and excellent as a preserve or sauce." The same can be said of the hobblebush, whose "branches often bend and take root, tripping or hobbling passers-by; hence its common name." (source: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center) There are many beautiful species for all different planting zones. Some look like hydrangeas. There are over 150 species and almost all of them are in North America.

Here are links for information and photographs about these two species of Viburnum:
  A great introductory gardening guide is here.
  USDA American cranberrybush profile
  USDA hobblebush profile
  My hobblebush photos on Flickr
  My American cranberrybush photos on Flickr

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