Vaccinium angustifolium (Lowbush Blueberry)


Michael's Opinion

This plant reminds me of camping in the Owen Sound region. It is a nice little plant adding hints of colour to the northern landscape. It is a great groundcover-type plant to incorporate into a landscape, but requires special cultural considerations.

Botanical Information

FamilyEricaceae
GenusVaccinium
Speciesangustifolium
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone1-5
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone0a-6b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-46
Temperature (°F)-50
Height10-60 cm
Spread10-60 cm
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMay

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA low growing evergreen bush. It has a straggly, spreading form and produces small leaves and blueberries.
ID CharacteristicBlueberries, white flowers, thin small leaved foliage. Very low, almost a ground cover, forms a 'mat' covering the ground.
ShapeLow, open-growing.
PropagationCuttings taken in June will grow well, especially under misted conditions. Also propagated by seed.
CultivationDoes well in dry, sandy, well-drained, acidic soils (4.5-5.5pH). It will grow in harsh rocky conditions as well. I have personally seen it on moss covered rocks, growing out of the cracks. Full sun to partial shade.
PestsGenerally has few drastic pest and disease issues. It can however suffer from: blueberry maggot, blueberry stem borer, cranberry fruitworm, cherry fruitworm, Japanese beetle, leafroller, leafhopper and aphids.
Notable SpecimensThe French River district of Ontario has many amazing groupings.
HabitatDry, rocky, open barren lands in North America on acidic soils.
Bark/Stem DescriptionNew growth is a semi-glossy green turning to a medium brown with age. Stems show some red colour in the winter.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionTiny brownish-red buds, 2-3 mm long and 1-2 mm wide.
Leaf DescriptionDark blue-green foliage in the summer, changing to crimson-bronze in autumn. Simple leaf, 0.75-2 cm long, 1-1.25 cm wide in an elliptical/ovate shape.
Flower DescriptionFlower is white with a tinge of pink or red; it is 5 mm long and just as wide, in a 5 lobed “bell shape”.
Fruit DescriptionDark blue, sometimes purple-black berries that appear in mid-summer, 5-10 mm across. They have a sweet, sometimes bitter taste.
Colour DescriptionWhite flowers with a tinge of pink or red, new growth is green turning brown with age and reddish in the winter months. Blue-green foliage turns reddish-bronze in the autumn. Fruit is blue or purple-black, buds are brownish-red.
Texture DescriptionOverall medium texture in all seasons.

Photographs