Stevens Cranberry Bush

Location: The Stevens is a full sun plant needing a minimum of 6 hours of direct light. They prefer acidic, moist soil, but not standing water. They can tolerate drier soil once established but are not drought tolerant. These shrubs can be used as a deciduous hedge, a specimen plant, or a mixed border.

Planting directions: Once you have chosen your ideal location, it is time to plant your shrub.

1) Dig a hole that is 3 times the width of the container that your cranberry arrived in and just as deeply.
2) Remove the plant from the container and lightly comb the roots with your fingers to loosen them so that they spread out more readily.
3) Position your plant so that it is upright and centered in the hole.
4) Tamp the soil as you backfill the hole with a mixture of 60% native soil and 40% compost or garden soil.
5) Water the plant well when done to saturate all of the roots and the planting area. Make sure that the area drains well so that the roots are not in standing water.
6) Mulch the planting area with a 3-4 inch thick layer of mulch to protect the roots from the cold temperatures as well as helping the plant to conserve the moisture that you are giving the tree.

Watering: Cranberry bushes prefer soil that is moist but not wet. They like well-draining soil, but do not like to dry out more than approximately 2 inches down before getting watered again. The frequency of watering will depend on your soil type, climate, and current weather conditions. They will need more water during times of heat and drought and less during cooler periods.

Fertilizing: Cranberries do not need much fertilization to thrive. If your leaves begin to fade in color, you can use a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer, providing too much nitrogen will inhibit flower and fruit production. Compost is a good fertilizer for these plants as it is not too high in nitrogen.