Pollinator plant

Highbush cranberry

Viburnum opulus

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Common names

50 names · 32 languages
EnglishYour language
+9 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (31)
Dutch
French
  • Boule de neige
  • viorne obier[1][3]
Belarusian
  • Каліна звычайная[3]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 欧洲荚蒾[3]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 歐洲莢蒾[3]
Cree
  • nîpiminâna[3]
Czech
  • kalina obecná[3]
Danish
Estonian
  • harilik lodjapuu[3]
Finnish
  • koiranheisi[3]
German
  • Gemeiner Schneeball[1][3]
  • Gewöhnlicher Schneeball[2]
Hungarian
  • Kányabangita[3]
Irish
Italian
Korean
Latvian
  • Parastā irbene[3]
Lithuanian
  • Paprastasis putinas[3]
Norwegian
Ojibwe
  • Aniibmiin (Aniibiminagaawashk)[3]
Polish
  • Kalina koralowa[3]
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
  • Калина обыкновенная[3]
Slovak
  • kalina obyčajná[3]
Slovenian
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
Ukrainian
  • Калина звичайна[3]
  • Калина червона[3]
  • Червона калина[3]
Welsh
  • Gwifwrnwydd y gors[3]
Sources & name notes (7)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Viburnum opulus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • highbush cranberry — results[1].names[8]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • gelderse roos — results[1].names[4]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Gemeiner Schneeball — results[1].names[7]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • cramp bark — results[1].names[3]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • cranberry viburnum — results[1].names[10]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • European cranberry bush — results[1].names[11]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • guelder rose — results[1].names[2]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • guelder-rose — results[1].names[1]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • snowball tree — results[1].names[9]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • water elder — results[1].names[6]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • mundillo — results[1].names[17]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • viorne obier — results[1].names[5]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Palla di neve — results[1].names[20]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Viburno oppio — results[1].names[21]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • caneleiro — results[1].names[13]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • noveleiro — results[1].names[30]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
[2] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Viburnum opulus ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Highbush Cranberry — VernacularName.tsv, line 152513; taxon 5BCCB.
  • Guelder-rose — VernacularName.tsv, line 152512; taxon 5BCCB.
  • Snowball Tree (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 152514; taxon 5BCCB.
  • Gewöhnlicher Schneeball (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 152511; taxon 5BCCB.
[3] Viburnum opulus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • highbush cranberry — results[1].names[8]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • gelderse roos — results[1].names[4]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Gemeiner Schneeball — results[1].names[7]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • cramp bark — results[1].names[3]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • cranberry viburnum — results[1].names[10]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • European cranberry bush — results[1].names[11]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • guelder rose — results[1].names[2]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • guelder-rose — results[1].names[1]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • snowball tree — results[1].names[9]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • water elder — results[1].names[6]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • mundillo — results[1].names[17]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • viorne obier — results[1].names[5]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Palla di neve — results[1].names[20]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Viburno oppio — results[1].names[21]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • caneleiro — results[1].names[13]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • noveleiro — results[1].names[30]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • koiranheisi — results[1].names[12]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Калина обыкновенная — results[1].names[14]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • kalina obecná — results[1].names[15]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Kvalkved — results[1].names[16]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • korsved — results[1].names[18]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Kalina koralowa — results[1].names[19]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Paprastasis putinas — results[1].names[22]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • harilik lodjapuu — results[1].names[23]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Kányabangita — results[1].names[24]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Aniibmiin (Aniibiminagaawashk) — results[1].names[25]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • kalina obyčajná — results[1].names[26]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • 欧洲荚蒾 — results[1].names[27]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • skogsolvon — results[1].names[28]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • olvon — results[1].names[29]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • 歐洲莢蒾 — results[1].names[31]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • gilaburu — results[1].names[32]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Калина червона — results[1].names[33]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Каліна звычайная — results[1].names[34]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • brogovita — results[1].names[35]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • nîpiminâna — results[1].names[36]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Parastā irbene — results[1].names[37]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Călin — results[1].names[38]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Калина звичайна — results[1].names[39]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Червона калина — results[1].names[40]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Caor chon — results[1].names[41]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Aliguer — results[1].names[42]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • Gwifwrnwydd y gors — results[1].names[43]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
  • 불두화 — results[1].names[44]; taxon id 55969; Viburnum opulus.
[4] Viburnum opulus — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Cranberry Bush Viburnum — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Viburnum opulus.
  • European Cranberry — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Viburnum opulus.
  • European Cranberrybush Viburnum — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Viburnum opulus.
  • Guelder-Rose — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Viburnum opulus.
[5] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • guelder rose — Page 2, column 1, row top 367 pt; common-name cell after Viburnum opulus.; Viburnum opulus.
[6] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • guelder rose — Page 3, column 1, row top 112 pt; common-name cell after Viburnum opulus.; Viburnum opulus.
[7] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • guelder rose — Page 5, column 1, row top 547 pt; common-name cell after Viburnum opulus.; Viburnum opulus.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Viburnum opulus is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Viburnaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
3.66–4.88 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
2.44–4.57 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Arching; Dense; Erect; Multi-stemmed; Rounded; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Wet

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Europe, Asia and N. Africa.

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Viburnum opulus in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3] [4] [5]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Low
Pollen value Low
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Fruit tree, Shrub
Size
Small
Dimensions
5.00 m high × 5.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
3-8
Moisture
Moist, Wet
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Fruit
Functions
Pollinator plant
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
3 out of 5

Fruit: edible both raw and cooked. The fruit is juicy but has a sour taste, which is best after frost. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and a good alternative to cranberries. They are often used in jam. The fruits have a diameter of about 8 mm and typically contain a large seed.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Viburnum opulus — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 1462913; ID 5BCCB; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1462913; ID 5BCCB; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Viburnum opulus — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Wildflowers

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 3, column 1, entry Viburnum opulus (top 112 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 5, column 1, entry Viburnum opulus (top 547 pt)

    Source checked on .

  5. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Plants Of The World

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 1, entry Viburnum opulus (top 367 pt)

    Source checked on .