European Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus)

How much light does a European Cranberrybush need?

Full sun is the preferred light for European cranberrybush, and part shade is also listed. Full sun means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. In the upper Piedmont region of the southeastern US, it grows best in full sun or part shade. Mature plants stand 10–16 ft (3.05–4.88 m) tall, a size to keep in mind when you choose a sunny spot.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)^1,2

How often to water a European Cranberrybush

Water use for this shrub is listed as medium, and the recorded range runs from dry to medium. The plant tolerates moist to wet soil, and it grows in moist, well-drained soils that are rich in humus. Its drainage record lists well drained, moist and occasionally wet conditions. No cited source gives a watering schedule, so this page does not state one.

• Water: Dry to medium³

Best soil for a European Cranberrybush

Moist, well-drained, humusy soil suits this shrub, and it is adaptable to various soils and pHs. The drainage conditions recorded for it are well drained, moist and occasionally wet. In the upper Piedmont, it also tolerates moist to wet soil. No cited source gives a soil pH range for this shrub, so that value is not documented. This page does not guess at a pH or at soil amendments.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist and occasionally wet^1,2
• Soil pH: pH 5–8⁴

Hardiness and temperature

This shrub is rated for hardiness zones 2a–8b. That range covers every half-zone step: 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b. Zone 2a is the cold end of the range, and zone 8b is the warm end. European cranberrybush is a deciduous shrub. No cited source records a minimum temperature for it, so that value is not documented. Humidity needs are not documented either.

• Hardiness: Zones 2a–8b¹

How to plant a European Cranberrybush

Plant it in USDA zones 2a through 8b. Leave room for a shrub that reaches 8–15 ft (2.44–4.57 m) wide and 10–16 ft (3.05–4.88 m) tall. Those figures are mature sizes, not planting-day sizes. Choose a spot with full sun or part shade. The soil can be moist and well drained, or occasionally wet. This is a deciduous shrub with white flowers.

• Hardiness: Zones 2a–8b¹

Winter care

Zones 2a through 8b are the recorded hardiness range for this shrub. If you garden in zone 2a, you are at the cold edge of that range, and in zone 8b you are at the warm edge. Zones colder than 2a or warmer than 8b fall outside the recorded range. European cranberrybush is a deciduous shrub. No cited source records a minimum temperature, so a lowest tolerated temperature is not documented. Winter protection methods are not documented either.

• Hardiness: Zones 2a–8b¹

Common problems

Aphids, viburnum crown borer and viburnum leaf beetle are the pests recorded for this shrub. Aphids can be a problem, and viburnum crown borer can cause stem dieback. The diseases recorded are bacterial leaf spot, stem blight and powdery mildew. It has some susceptibility to each of them. Deer resistance is reported, and the plant is mildly resistant to damage by deer.

• Common pests: aphids, viburnum crown borer and viburnum leaf beetle¹
• Common diseases: bacterial leaf spot, stem blight and powdery mildew¹

Questions and answers

How much sun does European cranberrybush need?

It grows in full sun or part shade, and full sun is preferred. Full sun means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. In the upper Piedmont, it grows best in either full sun or part shade.

How big does European cranberrybush get?

Mature height is 10–16 ft (3.05–4.88 m), and mature spread is 8–15 ft (2.44–4.57 m). It is a deciduous shrub with white flowers. Deer resistance is reported as mild.

Where is European cranberrybush native?

The native range record lists region codes including FRA, GER, GRB and POL. The US native status record lists US-L48 as native. Those records state these values and nothing more.