Would a Cranberry Border make sense?

Prefers full sun and may not perform well if soil is not suitably acidic. Wintergreen - Gaultheria procumbens - is an excellent alternative for a more shaded location and does not require as acidic a soil. Also a native, if that is a consideration..

Soil is quite acidic. Shade is a consideration...this spot is part shade, but gets full sun in the morning. Yes, I prefer natives.

I really really like wintergreen and have tried it in a different (more shaded) spot but I've never been able to get it established and my sources for it are a bit expensive. I've also considered bearberry.

Is there anything you can do to make it less likely that the strip will get run over? In my yard any spot like that tends to favor crabgrass, which competes well in a compacted soil. Perhaps adding some stone along the edge?

Anyone know were I can get cranberry or wintergreen plants in large numbers cheap?

In my area the cheapest sources for natives (aside from seed) are the native plant sales hosted by the Missouri Prairie Foundation and other similar organizations. Something like this for Massachusetts, perhaps:

http://www.grownativemass.org/programs/plantsale

I also see that the NE Wildflower society had Gaultheria procumbens on its list last year, so might offer it again in 2017. No clue what the pricing would be on that, though.

Or you could plant from seed if you've got the patience for that:

http://www.outsidepride.com/seed/ground-cover-seed/wintergreen-groundcover-seed.html

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/plant-gaultheria-procumbens-seeds-21879.html

Depends on what you mean by "large numbers" and "cheap"!! Here, wintergreen is commonly sold as a groundcover and is available in quantity in 4" pots for around $3.50 per retail ($1.50 wholesale). Cranberries are less frequently sold for this purpose but are available in smaller quantities, larger sizes and a higher price.

I have no idea what availability is like elsewhere in the country or what mail order sources might be accessed. You might try here........look at second listing (gaultheria in bulk). Also located in MA if that helps.

$3.50 per pot retail would be fine, but I can't find them that cheap.

Since cranberry is an agricultural product I presume there has to be some way for farmers to buy large numbers of plants...but I'm not sure where.

Do you know anyone in the industry (landscaper, designer, nursery owner, etc) that could access a wholesale source for you? That is going to be your least expensive option unless you can find a supplier selling plugs.

Yes, someone who specializes in groundcovers perhaps. Even "native restoration" nurseries are becoming more common and these are the types of outlets which might offer plug stock of things like cranberry. Cool idea.

Are you opposed to starting these from seed? You can't really beat that for price. Clearly it requires some patience, but the things I've grown from seed that have turned out well give me the greatest sense of satisfaction.

I'm actually considering buying a big bag of cranberries and planting them. Seeds that are included in commercial food crops are cheap. Do they require scarification?

Yes, you can grow them from the fruit and if you look online, there are a number of sites that explain how to do it. They don't need scarification (scratching or burning/scorching of the seed coat) but they do need stratification or a chill period, which you can accomplish in your refrigerator.

Smart thought, actually!!