Vaccinium padifolium (Madeira whortleberry) — Bushy

Overview

Vaccinium padifolium is a bushy fruit edible in the genus Vaccinium, part of the Ericaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Vaccinium padifolium grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam and sand soils and acid pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, flower borders and beds and edible fruit. It is native to Madeira.

About

Vaccinium padifolium is a deciduous, fruiting shrub in the heath family (Ericaceae) native to Madeira. It flowers from April to June. The plant favours acid, moist but well-drained loam or sand and suits full sun to partial shade on sheltered aspects. Its multi-stemmed habit and edible fruit make it useful in cottage and wildlife gardens as well as mixed borders.

About the genus

Vaccinium is a common and widespread genus of shrubs or dwarf shrubs in the heath family (Ericaceae). The fruits of many species are eaten by humans and some are of commercial importance, including the cranberry, blueberry, bilberry (whortleberry), lingonberry (cowberry), and huckleberry.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Vaccinium

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

Vaccinium padifolium size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Fruit Edible, Shrubs
Habit: Bushy
Foliage: Deciduous
Suggested uses: Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds, Edible fruit
Native to: Madeira

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Vaccinium padifolium

Propagation: Softwood cuttings in late spring, Semi-ripe cuttings in early summer
Pest resistance: Vine weevil, especially if container grown
Disease resistance: Honey fungus (rarely), Powdery mildews, Root rot, Chlorosis due to iron and manganese deficiency