Alberta · Shrub

Highbush cranberry for birds in Alberta

Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone. Native to Alberta, where it feeds or shelters 27 backyard bird species.

Scientific name: Viburnum trilobum
Native status: Native in Alberta
Hardiness zones: Canada 2a–4b
What birds get from it: fruit and berries
Alberta birds supported: 27
Nesting birds among them: 27

Growing conditions in Alberta

Continental — prairie in the southeast, aspen parkland in the center, boreal forest in the north and the Rockies in the west.

Warm, sunny summers with long days.

Alberta birds that use Highbush cranberry

Nesting season it supports in Alberta

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Highbush cranberry:

Purple Finch — June–July
American Robin — May–July
White-throated Sparrow — June–July
Northern Flicker — May–June
Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
Baltimore Oriole — June–July
Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
Gray Catbird — June–July
Brown Thrasher — May–July
Cedar Waxwing — July–August

Native plants to pair with Highbush cranberry in Alberta

Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

Pin cherry

Prunus pensylvanica · Tree

Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Red-osier dogwood

Cornus sericea · Shrub

White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.

Rocky Mountain juniper

Juniperus scopulorum · Tree

Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.

Golden currant

Ribes aureum · Shrub

Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.

Frequently asked

Is Highbush cranberry native to Alberta?

Yes. Highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is recorded as native in Alberta. Alberta spans Canada 2a–4b.

What birds does Highbush cranberry attract in Alberta?

In Alberta, Highbush cranberry supports 27 backyard birds, including Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Baltimore Oriole.

Does Highbush cranberry help nesting birds in Alberta?

27 of those birds nest in Alberta: Purple Finch (June–July), American Robin (May–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July), Northern Flicker (May–June).

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.