Squashberry

(Viburnum edule)

Squashberry (Viburnum edule)

Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service

CC BY 3.0 us

Image By: Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Viburnum edule, commonly known as Squashberry, is a deciduous shrub native to the cool, moist forests and wetlands of subarctic and boreal regions of North America, including parts of Canada and the northern United States. It typically grows 0.5–3.5 m (1.5–11.5 ft) tall with a similar spread, featuring a rounded form with arching branches. The leaves are simple, ovate, and finely toothed, turning a vibrant red or purple in the fall, adding to its ornamental value. The small, white flowers bloom in late spring to early summer, arranged in compact, flat-topped clusters called cymes, which are 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) across. The flowers are showy due to their bright white color and abundance. Following flowering, the plant produces edible red or orange berry-like drupes, 0.8–1.5 cm (0.3–0.6 in) long, which are favored by wildlife and can be used by humans to make jams and jellies after seed removal.

Squashberry is valued for its wildlife-friendly attributes, edible fruit, and attractive fall foliage. It is used in naturalistic plantings, as a component of wildlife gardens, and for erosion control in wetland areas. This shrub thrives in moist, well-drained alluvial soils and can tolerate a range of drainage conditions. It prefers full sun but can also grow in part shade. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to leaf spot diseases and may require pruning to maintain its shape. Squashberry is not known for aggressive roots or significant invasiveness issues.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrub
Height: 2-12 feet
Width: 2-8 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant

Natural Habitat

Cool, moist forests and wetlands of subarctic and boreal regions of North America

Other Names

Common Names: Highbush Cranberry , Mooseberry , Moosomin , Pembina , Lowbush Cranberry , Moosewood Viburnum , Squashberry Viburnum , Pimbina , Viorne Comestible

Scientific Names: Viburnum edule , Viburnum pauciflorum , Viburnum eradiatum , Viburnum opulus var. edule , Viburnum opulus var. eradiatum , Viburnum opulus var. pauciflorum

GBIF Accepted Name: Viburnum edule (Michx.) Raf.