Ben Lear Cranberry
Back in Stock Fall 2026
This variety is currently out of stock. We'll be restocking for the Fall 2026 shipping season.
Browse currently available varieties →Ben Lear is one of the earliest-ripening cranberry cultivars available, harvesting in late August through September - a full month ahead of most varieties. Its berries are large, oval-round, and a striking deep burgundy-red, prized for both fresh culinary use and traditional cranberry sauce.
This creeping evergreen forms a dense groundcover only 6-8 inches tall with a 2-3 foot spread, making it slightly more compact than Pilgrim. Ben Lear thrives in acidic, consistently moist soil and is extremely cold-hardy down to USDA Zone 3. Its glossy foliage turns rich bronze-red in autumn, adding ornamental interest long after harvest.
Plant in full sun in soil amended with peat moss to maintain the low pH cranberries require. Ben Lear is self-fertile but produces heavier crops when planted alongside another cranberry variety such as Pilgrim or Stevens.
Volume pricing. The more you order, the more you save:
| Quantity | Total | Per Plant | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 plug plants | $42.00 | $14.00 | |
| 5 plug plants | $60.00 | $12.00 | 14% |
| 10 plug plants | $100.00 | $10.00 | 29% |
| 15 plug plants | $135.00 | $9.00 | 36% |
| 20 plug plants | $160.00 | $8.00 | 43% |
| 30 plug plants | $225.00 | $7.50 | 46% |
| 50 plug plants | $325.00 | $6.50 | 54% |
| 75 plug plants | $450.00 | $6.00 | 57% |
| 99 plug plants | $545.00 | $5.51 | 61% |
Plant Details
Quick Facts
- Botanical
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Type
- Native cranberry
- Fruit Color
- Deep red
- Fruit Taste
- Tart, sour
- Thorns
- Thornless
Growing Conditions
- USDA Zones
- 2-7
- Sun Needs
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 4.0-5.5
- Spacing
- 18-24 in
- Mature Height
- 6-12 in
Pollination & Care
- Self-Fertile
- Yes
- Pollination
- Cranberries are self-fertile.
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Data Confidence
- Med
Harvest
- Season
- September - October
Growing Zones: 2–7
Hardy down to zone 2 (-50 to -40°F)
Match the shaded zones above to find your growing region. Source: USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
How we ship
Most orders go out via UPS with a 2-3 day transit time to most of the continental U.S. Plants are shipped dormant in late winter / early spring, packed wet to protect the root systems, and bundled by variety so they're ready to plant on arrival.
Hawaii & Alaska orders
For HI and AK addresses we ship via USPS. The other major carriers either don't service these areas for live plants or charge prohibitive rates that would more than double the cost of your order. USPS gives us a reliable, affordable path to get plants to you in good condition.
Want UPS or FedEx anyway?
If you're in HI or AK and want to use UPS or FedEx and cover the upgraded shipping cost, reach out to us immediately after placing your order with your order number. We'll send you the available options and a quote, and you can pick what works for you.
Region overview
Continental U.S.
UPS Ground, 2-3 day transit. Free shipping on orders $100+.
Hawaii & Alaska
USPS Priority Mail. Reach out post-order if you want a UPS/FedEx upgrade quote.
Arrive-alive guarantee
Every order is backed by our 30-day arrive-alive guarantee. If a plant doesn't make it through transit, we'll replace it. Just send us a photo within 30 days of delivery.
Questions?
Call or text us at (720) 630-3715, or email support@fruitbushes.com. We answer within one business day.
