Bog bilberry

Bog bilberry Care

vaccinium uliginosum

What is the plant

Vaccinium uliginosum is a Eurasian and North American flowering plant in the genus Vaccinium within the heath family. It is native to cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, at low altitudes in the Arctic, and at high altitudes to the south.

Vaccinium uliginosum is a small deciduous shrub growing to 10–75 cm (4–30 in) tall, rarely 1 m (3.3 ft) tall, with brown stems (unlike the green stems of the closely related bilberry). The leaves are oval, 4–30 mm (0.16–1.18 in) long and 2–15 mm (0.08–0.59 in) wide, blue-green with pale net-like veins, with a smooth margin and rounded apex. The flowers are pendulous, urn-shaped, pale pink, 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long, produced in mid spring. The fruit is a dark blue-black berry 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) diameter, with a white flesh, edible and sweet when ripe in late summer. In Korea, bog bilberry is used in infused liquor. In Siberia they use bog bilberries to make jam.

humidity

Normal

lighting

Part sun and part shade

hardiness zone

min 2

difficulty

Medium

toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Unlike other berry producing plants, bluberry bushes require quite a bit of water, especially during the first weeks after planting, and during the fruiting period. This need is even greater is they are kept in pots or experience periods of drought. Keep a moist substrate but most importantly cover the roots with mulch.
Fertilizer
Enrich the topsoil with some compost when planting.
Sunlight
The plant succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
The plant requires a moist or wet lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 3.5 to 6.2, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Grows well in a bog garden. Mulch in April to maintain humidity.
Temperature
The plant is very cold hardy. In can be found in the areas with the lowest winter temperatures of −42.8°C (−45°F).
Container
This plant can be grown in containers. Choose a container with enough drainage holes.