American Cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon, Seeds (Edible, Hardy, Fall Color)
The American Cranberry is a low trailing, mat-forming, evergreen shrub of bogs. This species is the source of the commercial cranberry. Plants grow 12 inches tall with a 3 to 4-foot spread and have small, glossy, leathery dark green leaves to 3/4 inch across, bronzy in spring and dark green in summer, then turning a variety of colors in fall.
Leaves turn bronze in winter. In spring thru summer, the American Cranberry produces fuchsia-pink bell-shaped flowers in nodding clusters. The flowers are unique, with four turned-back petals, that look like hats and beak-like stamens.
Flowers are followed by edible, round, bright red berries that mature in September thru October. Allowed to spread, plants can form a carpet of lush green foliage. The American Cranberry can be grown as a food crop, as an ornamental, or both.
Name: American cranberry
Scientific Name: Vaccinium macrocarpon
Zone: 2-7
Plant height: 1-2 feet
Light requirements: full sun
Soil & water preferences grow well in well-drained soil.
Growing Instructions:
1. Scarification: Soak in water for 24 hours
2. stratification: Cold stratify for 90 days
3. germination: Surface sow and keep moist
