Habitat

• native to northeastern and northwestern United States
• hardy to zone 2

Habit and Form

• a deciduous shrub
• dense, rounded crown
• 8' to 12' tall equal spread
• medium texture
• moderate growth rate

Summer Foliage

• opposite leaf arrangement
• simple, deciduous leaves
• 3-lobed leaves
• ovate leaf shape
• 2" to 5" long
• dentate leaf margin
• dark green leaf color

Autumn Foliage

• red to purple fall color

Flowers

• white flowers like V. opulus
• blooms in early June
• flat-topped cyme
• showy

Fruit

• red drupe
• 0.33" long
• matures in September
• edible
• persists

Bark

• gray brown in color
• waxy

Culture

• easily transplanted
• prefers well-drained, moist soil
• sun to partial shade

Landscape Use

• shrub borders
• small flowering tree
• to attract birds and wildlife
• hedges
• background plant
• barrier
• useful for flowers and fruit

Liabilities

• stemblight
• water stress

ID Features

• opposite, lobed leaves
• red fruit
• sticky, greenish-red buds, valvate (like V. opulus)

Propagation

• by cuttings
• by seed

Cultivars/Varieties

'Alfredo' - This is a new variation on the 'Compactum' theme said to grow more densely to form a 6' tall and wide shrub. The red fall color is also reportedly very good.

'Andrews' - This is the least common of the standard cultivars selected for production of superior fruit. It has a more compact, dense habit.

'Bailey Compact' - One of the various dwarf forms that are offered in the trade, this plant also grows to 6' tall with red fall foliage and a satisfactory fruit set.

'Compactum' - Perhaps the most common form of the species, this selection is a handsome compact plant that reaches 6' tall with upright spreading branches. The plant flowers and fruits well, but the fall color can be a poor yellow instead of the brilliant red of other varieties.

'Hahs' - A more dwarf selection, this plant grows to 8' tall and wide. It is most notable for its production of larger fruit that are useful for culinary purposes.

'Wentworth' - A cultivar selection made for its production of quality edible fruit, this plant exhibits good red fall color, as well. Other traits are as per the species.