Plant Details

• Botanical NameCranberry- Stevens Red
• Common NameCranberry- Stevens Red
• Size & GrowthLow, spreading evergreen vine; 4–8 in tall; runners spread 3–5+ ft over time; forms dense mats with short upright fruiting shoots.
• Hardiness ZonesUSDA Zones 2–7 (very cold hardy; prefers cool summers).
• Foliage TypeEvergreen; small, glossy leaves that turn bronze to red in cold weather.
• Bloom TimeLate spring to early summer; fruit ripens late summer into fall.
• Growth RateModerate; spreads steadily in sandy, acidic organic media.
• Light RequirementsFull sun (6+ hours) for best flowering and fruiting; light shade tolerated with reduced yield.
• Attracts PollinatorsYes—visited by native bees and bumblebees during bloom.
• Indoor FriendlyNo—best grown outdoors; requires cool conditions and high light.
• Container FriendlyYes—thrives in broad, shallow containers or raised “bog” planters with the right acidic, moisture-retentive medium.
• Deer ResistantGenerally deer resistant; foliage is not a preferred browse.
• Pet WarningNon-toxic to cats and dogs; large quantities may cause stomach upset. Avoid sweetened dried mixes (often include raisins, which are toxic to pets).
• FragrantNot notably fragrant; grown for fruit and foliage color.
• Cut FlowerUncommon as cut flowers; fruiting sprigs are excellent for autumn and holiday arrangements.
• Grows Well WithGrows Well With Blueberries, lingonberries, bog rosemary, heaths & heathers, dwarf sedges/rushes, use pine needle mulch or sphagnum top-dressing.

Care Tips

• Planting InstructionsCreate a 6–8 in deep bed of 2:1 peat moss to coarse sand (or fine pine bark), pH 4.0–5.5. Space rooted runners 12–18 in apart. Water thoroughly and mulch lightly with pine needles. Keep crown at soil surface.
• Soil MoistureKeep evenly moist to wet (bog-like), never allowing the bed to dry out. Avoid stagnant, anaerobic water; ensure very high organic content for capillary moisture.
• Soil TypeAcidic, sandy, organic medium (peat/sand blend). Target pH 4.0–5.5. Do not add lime; use elemental sulfur if pH drifts upward.
• HumidityPrefers moderate to high ambient humidity; protect from hot, desiccating winds to reduce berry drop and leaf scorch in summer heat.
• Pruning InstructionsLate winter or very early spring, thin vigorous runners to encourage upright fruiting shoots. Lightly shear to maintain density; remove dead or weak growth. Pinch off first-year flowers to strengthen establishment.
• Winter CareVery hardy; apply 2–3 in pine needle or straw mulch after freeze-up in exposed sites. For containers, insulate the pot or heel into the ground to prevent root heave and drying winds.
• Planting DepthSet so the crown sits level with the finished surface. Cover roots 2–3 in deep; top-dress with 0.5 in clean sand after planting to encourage rooting and suppress weeds.
• FertilizationLight feeder. Use an acid-forming fertilizer (for azalea/rhododendron) at 1/4–1/2 strength in late spring if growth is pale; avoid high nitrogen. Supplement iron or sulfur if leaves yellow from high pH.
• Special CareEncourage pollinators; avoid insecticides during bloom. Net plants as fruit colors to deter birds. Annual 0.5–1 in clean sand top-dressing improves vigor and weed control. Use rainwater if tap water is alkaline.