Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus), packet of 10 seeds, Organic
$4.95
Family: Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae)
Zones 3 to 8
(Guelder Rose, Highbush Cranberry)
Taxonomic note: Modern molecular genetics recommends shifting the plant to the Adoxaceae
Regarding new and old-world ecotypes: We have identified our mother bushes as the European form (Viburnum opulus). The American form (Viburnum opulus var. americanum or Viburnum trilobum) is very similar. The plants are used interchangeably in herbalism and wine making.
Multistemmed deciduous bush to 12 feet, covered with decorative white flowers in the spring, shiny red berries in the summer and brightly colored leaves in the fall. The fresh berries may be made into wine or mead, or cooked down into a lovely sauce or jam, more or less sweet depending on how much sugar is added. The bush itself is used extensively in landscaping, and may be shaped as desired. Traditional usage (TWM): The tea or tincture of the bark, readily stripped from the thinnings in spring and dried, has been used since antiquity to alleviate menstrual cramps, being nontoxic, non-inebriating, universally acceptable and reliable. Tree prefers full sun to part shade and regular garden soil. Seed is from the recent harvest. We smash the berries, wash and float out the seeds and gently dry the seeds before storage and packaging. Seeds sown in the fall germinate in the second spring, a 20 month induction period according to our experiments. High rates of germ are typical. Plant seed 1/2 inch deep in a gallon pot, mulch with coir or peat, and keep in cool, moist shade. It really does seem like a long time to wait for seedlings, but this is a reliable method, tested here at our farm a number of times with good success, and trees grown from seed end up being the best trees overall, as they have a nice, spreading root system and are individuals, not clones. Individuate seedlings to gallon pots and grow out for a year before transplanting to landscape. Space at least 15 feet apart.
10 seeds/pkt., Certified Organically Grown
In stock
Question
Stephanie Naftal –
Reading your description. So starting from seeds, it’s best to start them in fall?? Or could I start them now?? Also, do these like to be multiple plants, hanging out together? Thanks Richo!!
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
hi stephanie, they are multicycle germinators and can be planted anytime. Really the best way to do this is the outdoor shadehouse technique. We’ll have a new video up on the youtube channel tomorrow afternoon that has the word “shadehouse” in the title. view that, it will help immensely. richo
(0) (0)
Stephanie –
Have you ever just put them in the ground and kept them mulched??? I mean, they must reseed on their own sometimes, right?
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
hi stephanie, yes, we call this the outdoor seed bed propagation technique, it works fine! r
(0) (0)
Stephanie –
Ok great!! I don’t think I have the patience/consistency for a 20 month pot method!! So just barely cover, keep moist, and mulch??
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
yes, and the germination times are the same in a nursery bed and a pot
(0) (0)
Question
Kristen Smith –
Hi Richo! Do you ever offer plants of this Viburnum? Thank you!
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hi Kristen,
Yes, we have a population of these, I’ll set them up for sale, you inspire me, check back in a few minutes. richo
(1) (0)
kris10.ann.smith –
Woo hoo!!! 🥳 Thanks so much!
(0) (0)
Question
Sue Peterson –
I’m looking for Viburnum opulus var. americanum L. Ait (formerly known as Viburnum trilobum), in other words, the American form of the Highbush Cranberry. Is this it,or is this the European form?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hi Sue,
Well, the subspecies or varietals of Viburnum opulus are actually a bit mixed up. What you would be getting from us is exactly what you see in the photos. Some people might call this the “trilobum” form. In any case, it’s the medicine.
Richo
(0) (0)
Question
Roby Gobeil –
Hi RIcho,
If we plant the dried seeds. Do you think it’s working as well?
Thanks
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Roby,
Yes, the dried seeds retain their viability for at least a year. Long germination times make any practical experiment (beyond the usual chemical test (TZ)) require a long wait.
Richo
(0) (0)
Question
Anavay Taffe –
When keeping the potted seed in the cool, moist shade for a year what would you recommend the place to be? Could it be indoors? When you say moist, is that natural moisture from the air or does the seed need to be watered?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
This requires outdoor treatment in cool moist shade. Most of us use a shade house with benches and shade fabric. This is not a good choice for a beginning gardener–try something like basil, calendula or eve n comfrey roots.
(0) (0)
Question
Jennifer Judd –
What zones will this plant grow in? Thank you.
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
Zones 3 to 8
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
Fall colors of High Bush Cranberry (AKA Cramp Bark) (Viburnum opulus), and its time to harvest the ripe berries. Inside the berry we find the seed, a multicycle germinator that long eluded us in terms of unlocking its exact germination sequence. Turns out, the fresh seed, when planted in the fall, germinates in the second spring (appx. 20 month induction cycle from planting to germination). What we find in the case of long germinators such as this (besides the obvious need for plenty of human patience), is that mulching the planting site is of tantamount importance. The best procedure seems to be to use gallon pots or deep flats, plant the seed about 1 inch deep, tamp securely, then mulch thickly (another inch or two). Best mulches are thoroughly decomposed leaf mould or coir (short fibre coconut husk). The mulch keeps temperature of seed more constant through deep freeze and summer heat, keeps the seed moist, and perhaps most importantly of all disallows the formation of moss on the surface of the potting medium. A mulch needed detail. Love that Mona Lisa smile on the young harvester.
(1) (0) Watch Unwatch
anavaytaffe –
I’m new to planting and have been doing as much research as I can and appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and knowledge with us. My question is this: once you plant the cramp bark in the ground will it need to be re-planted every spring or once it’s in the ground is there no need to re-plant it?
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
This is a perennial shrub/tree. Once you plant it in the ground it stays in place year after year.
(0) (0)
D Payne –
The berries of Viburnum opulus also make a nice wine/mead, with a bit of a wild flavor. One of our favorite home brew wines, along with red currant.
(0) (0)