About
Vaccinium corymbosum (F) is a bushy deciduous shrub that can reach heights of up to 1.5 meters. Its mid-green foliage transforms to shades of red and purple during the autumn months. In spring, it produces clusters of small, urn-shaped flowers that are either white or pink. These flowers give way to edible blue-black berries, each measuring approximately 12 millimeters in diameter.
About the genus
Vaccinium consists of either evergreen or deciduous shrubs and small trees. They feature simple leaves and produce small flowers that are shaped like bells or urns, which give way to juicy berries that may be edible.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Fruit Edible, Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- Eastern N America
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Plant in a sheltered site in well-drained, moisture-retentive, acidic soil, (pH 4.5-5.5) in sun or part shade. Alternatively grow in containers or raised beds filled with peat-free, ericaceous compost . Pot grown plants benefit from winter protection. For optimal pollination and yield plant three different cultivars. See blueberry cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- More mature plants benefit from regular pruning, see pruning blueberries
- Propagation
- Take 10-15cm (4-6in) softwood cuttings in late spring or semi-ripe cuttings in early summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to vine weevil, especially if container grown
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, root rot and chlorosis due to iron and manganese deficiency; see nutrient deficiencies