Highbush Cranberry vs Dewberry (Dwarf Raspberry) - TreeTime.ca

Highbush Cranberry vs Dewberry (Dwarf Raspberry)

Rubus pubescens

Viburnum opulus var. americanum (trilobum)

Dewberry (Dwarf Raspberry)
Highbush Cranberry

Dewberry (Rubus pubescens) is a native, low-growing perennial that spreads by creeping stems to form a natural groundcover. In spring, it bears small white flowers that attract pollinators, followed by bright red edible berries resembling tiny raspberries. They are an important food source for birds and mammals.

Widespread across Canada, Dewberry serves as a larval host plant for butterflies such as the Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon), adding to its ecological value. It is a suitable choice for naturalization, pollinator gardens, habitat plantings, and ecological restoration projects.

Highbush Cranberry produces attractive white flowers in late June and bears edible fruit that matures to a bright red colour in the late summer.

This shrub, native to much of Canada, is fast growing, and its fruit can be eaten raw or cooked into a sauce.

Dewberry (Dwarf Raspberry) Quick Facts

Highbush Cranberry Quick Facts

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Zone: 1b
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Spread: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright, trailing
Spreading: stolons - medium
Suckering: none


Fall colour: reddish or purplish
Flowers: small, white
Flowers: white clusters
Bloom time: late spring to early summer
Berries: red, edible
Berries: edible red berries
Harvest: mid-summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Other Names: creeping red raspberry, dwarf raspberry, dwarf red blackberry, dwarf red raspberry, trailing raspberry
Other Names: american cranberrybush, american cranberrybush viburnum, high bush cranberry, kalyna