Do Cranberries Grow on Bushes or Vines?

Bush

• Cranberries are low-lying, evergreen shrubs that rarely reach 8 inches high. They thrive in sandy, acidic soil, well amended with peat or compost. The flowers form on short, upright shoots in early summer and the fruits ripen in middle to late fall. Because of their compact, woody growth, they resemble a bush in many ways.

Vine

• Here's where it gets confusing -- similar to strawberries, cranberries spread through runners that form along the surface and root into the soil occasionally to create a matted growth. The leaves emerge on thin, vine-like stems, as well. The cranberry branches appear to take on a trailing vine appearance.

Identification

• Cranberry plants are generally referred to as bushes. Although they make runners and have a trailing appearance, the runners don't climb and instead become rooted in the soil over time. Vines typically climb fences or trellises, and when left without a structure, even climb over other plants. Cranberry bushes don't take this form.

Growth Habit

• Contrary to popular belief, cranberry bushes do not grow in bogs during the summer. Many farmers flood the fields in the fall for two reasons -- flooding the fields causes the berries to rise to the surface where they are easily harvested with skimmers. Additionally, flooded fields protect cranberries from freezing temperatures over the winter, preventing damage to the following year's flowers and fruit.