The All-American Cranberries: Heirloom Varieties – Pilgrim and Ben Lear

2 plants – 1 each Pilgrim and Ben Lear – 3.25″ container of each

The cranberry, along with the blueberry and Concord grape, were known to the Pilgrims when they settled in New England. Hence the name Pilgrim for one of these distinctive natives.

The other, Ben Lear, or Vaccinium macracarpon, is a wild clone from Wisconsin. It is early-ripening and has large to medium bright red fruit. Very productive, it has a circular spread of 12 inches and expands by runners. It is especially prized for making sauces, the traditional side dish for the Thanksgiving turkey.

When ready for harvesting, these two cultivars turn deep red with a purplish blush. Deep skin pigments are an indicator of high antioxidant content and a range of other beneficial vitamins and minerals. They can be eaten fresh or dried, cooked up as a jam or sauce – or strung up as a Christmas tree decoration. A dense evergreen, they hold pride of place in an edible garden. Most cranberries require a watery bog to grow in, but these two cultivars are exceptional in that they can thrive out of a watery environment.  Zones 4-8