highbush

Highbush is a term used in botany and horticulture to describe shrubs that grow to a relatively tall, upright form, typically exceeding the stature of lowbush species that spread along the ground. The term is descriptive rather than taxonomic and can apply to several genera.

One widely known example is the highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum, a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America that has been extensively cultivated for its sweet fruit. Highbush blueberries usually reach 1.5 to 3 meters in height, with cultivars selected for yield, fruit size, and winter hardiness. They require acidic, well-drained soils and a period of winter chill to produce fruit; pollination by bees improves yield and uniformity. Southern highbush varieties are hybrids adapted to warmer climates and typically ripen earlier.

Another plant associated with the name is highbush cranberry, the common name for Viburnum opulus var. americanum. This deciduous shrub tolerates a range of soils and produces bright red fruit in autumn. The berries are used for preserves and provide ornamental value; raw berries are very tart and generally eaten cooked.

Beyond these, "highbush" is an informal growth habit descriptor used for various shrubs that reach substantial height compared with lowbush counterparts, including landscape ornamentals and wild shrubs in temperate regions.