British Columbia · Shrub

Highbush cranberry for birds in British Columbia

Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone. Native to British Columbia, where it feeds or shelters 28 backyard bird species.

Scientific name: Viburnum trilobum
Native status: Native in British Columbia
Hardiness zones: Canada 1a–9a
What birds get from it: fruit and berries
British Columbia birds supported: 28
Nesting birds among them: 28

Growing conditions in British Columbia

Temperate rainforest on the coast, dry interior valleys and mountains, and boreal forest in the northeast.

Dry, warm coastal summers; hot in the Okanagan.

British Columbia birds that use Highbush cranberry

Nesting season it supports in British Columbia

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

House Finch — May–August
Purple Finch — June–July
American Robin — May–July
White-throated Sparrow — June–July
Northern Flicker — May–June
Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
Gray Catbird — June–July
Cedar Waxwing — July–August
Yellow-rumped Warbler — June–July

Native plants to pair with Highbush cranberry in British Columbia

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 British Columbia?

Yes. Highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is recorded as native in British Columbia. British Columbia spans Canada 1a–9a.

What birds does Highbush cranberry attract in British Columbia?

In British Columbia, Highbush cranberry supports 28 backyard birds, including House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker.

Does Highbush cranberry help nesting birds in British Columbia?

28 of those birds nest in British Columbia: House Finch (May–August), Purple Finch (June–July), American Robin (May–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July).

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.