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Viburnum opulus var. americanum 'Bailey's Compact'
American Cranberrybush Viburnum
Plant Type:
DECIDUOUS SHRUBSViburnum opulus var. americanum ‘Bailey’s Compact’ – This American Cranberrybush Viburnum, from Bailey Nursery, St. Paul, Minnesota, is a smaller dense growing rounded form with consistent striking rich to bright red fall color. The white flowers are 3” to 4.5” diameter in opening in mid to late May. Relatively large red late season glossy fruits are edible, used in preserves… if you don’t harvest them the birds will! Taxonomists have correctly classified V. trilobum to this new moniker which identifies the too close genetic links to keep them any longer separated... that is until they change their minds.
This from Stephen P. (NC) on 5.2.2019: " I received the 2 “Bailey’s” yesterday, and they look great! I was also very impressed by the way that they were packaged, and handled. Thanks so much! I am giving them a day to recover from their 2 day trip, and will be planting this evening." Happy planting, Stephen.
Characteristics and Attributes for Viburnum opulus var. americanum 'Bailey's Compact'
Season of Interest (Flowering)
- Spring
Season of Interest (Foliage)
- Spring / Summer / Autumn
Autumn Interest
- Fruit / Berries / Seed Heads
- Autumn Leaf Color
Nature Attraction
- Songbirds
- Honey Bees & Native Bees
- Deer Resistant
Light
- Full Sun
- Mostly Sunny
Attributes
- Hedgerow
- Specimen
- Foundation
- Wildlife Garden
- Shrub Border
- Hedge
Growth Rate in the Garden
- Medium
Soil
- Fertile
Origins
- Garden Origin
Propagated By
- Cutting Grown
Genus Overview: Viburnum
Common Name: Viburnum
Viburnum. This genus is full of fantastic, multi-season garden worthy shrubs. Garden heroes. Spring flowers, often large and showy, many with heady sweet fragrance are arranged in cymes. Some smell of musk (Viburnum dilatatum) while others produce no fragrance at all. Flowers are followed with berries. If late season and autumn berries are desired then planting two of a species will ensure fruit set; for instance, Viburnum dilatatum 'Erie' and V. dilatatum 'Michael Dodge' will pollinate each other and produce fruit. Viburnum cassinoides is closely allied with V. nudum; but if the flowering times do not overlap then there will be no fruit. However, if you plant V. nudum 'Winterthur' in proximity with V. nudum var. angustifolium, 'Longwood', 'Moonshine' or 'Pink Beauty' berries will abound. Another interesting example is V. lantana which crosses with V. burejaeticum and vice versa. Any V. plicatum f. tomentosum selection such as 'Shasta' or 'Shoshoni' will pollinate with all other V. plicatum f. tomentosum selections like 'Copper Ridges or 'Pink Beauty'. But if you were to plant two 'Shasta' side by side with no other V. plicatum f. tomentosum in near proximity then your effort will be fruitless. As with almost all in the universe of plants there are exceptions. There is one viburnum which appears to be self-fruitful, Viburnum setigerum the Tea Viburnum. Another interesting exception to the rule is Viburnum nudum 'Pink Beauty' which is also self-fruitful - a departure from its siblings. And on the other spectrum are two I can think of off-hand that are barren, Viburnum plicatum 'Roseum' and Viburnum plicatum 'Kern's Pink'. Oftentimes, the dwarf viburnums reamin in a juvenile state and do not produce fruit. All Viburnum of any size that do produce fruit are magnificent in the late season garden. And they feed all manner of birds. Larger, denser shrubs provide cover and nesting opportunities. Nearly all Viburnum have terrific autumn foliage colors, too. Viburnums are members of Caprifoliaceae. All prefer part to full sun and fertile soils. All are cutting grown. Many thanks to Gary Ladman of Classic Viburnums who generously set us straight regarding some of the details we had originally incorrectly lauded... ya can't know everything!