Habitat

• native to Northeastern United States and New Brunswick
• hardy in zone 3

Habit and Form

• a medium deciduous shrub
• a rounded, densely branched shrub
• grows to 6' tall
• plant tends to sucker
• medium texture
• fast growth rate

Summer Foliage

• alternate leaf arrangement
• simple, deciduous leaves
• leaves are elliptical in shape
• 2" to 3" long
• leaves have a serrated leaf margin
• dull green leaf color
• petiole is pubescent with glands near the leaf base

Autumn Foliage

• somewhat showy

Flowers

• white flowers
• flowers borne singly
• flowers are 0.5" in diameter
• flowers in May

Fruit

• fruits are dull purple color
• 1" in diameter
• ripen in august
• edible

Bark

• reddish brown bark
• horizontal lenticels

Culture

• full sun
• easily transplanted from bare root, B&B, or containers
• soil adaptable
• prefers a well-drained soil
• prune after flowering in spring
• salt tolerant

Landscape Use

• specimen
• patio plant
• small groupings
• for flowering effect
• for edible fruit
• foundation plant

Liabilities

• short-lived
• many insect and disease problems

ID Features

• a deciduous shrub
• up to 6' tall
• suckers
• simple, serrated leaves
• glands on petiole near leaf base
• white flowers in spring
• dull purple edible fruits

Propagation

• by softwood cuttings

Cultivars/Varieties

var. flava - This naturally-occuring plant bears yellow fruit and is found on Cape Cod.

'Eastham', 'Hancock' and 'Squibnocket' - These cultivars have been selected for exceptional fruit qualities, which are often used for jams and jellies. They are not widely-available in commerce.