Under this name the high-bush cranberry (Viburnum opulus) is propagated as a combined ornamental and fruit-bearing shrub. It is in no sense a cranberry, but is nearly allied to the cultivated snowball. The large bush is hardy everywhere nearly in Europe or America. It is pleasing in habit and foliage and the fruit is very showy well into winter. Professor Card says of the fruit and shrub: "The plant deserves all the praise it is likely to receive as an ornamental, but as a fruit-producing plant it is of doubtful value. The fruit is said to be very sour, but more agreeable than the true cranberry."

In the prairie States this species is decidedly variable in habit, size, and leaf. Its fruits are also variable in size and quality. The sauce and jelly of the best varieties are prized by the few who have tested them. But not the least interest possessed by this handsome shrub is the great possibility of improvement in size and quality of its cranberry-like fruits by cultivation and selection of the best seedlings. It is propagated readily from stratified seeds planted shallow early in spring. It also is propagated readily by layering and from dormant cuttings planted in autumn (58. Fall-planting of Cuttings).