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Woody > Vaccinium > Vaccinium angustifolium > Vaccinium angustifolium

Vaccinium angustifolium


Lowbush Blueberry




            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

"

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.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

"

Family
Ericaceae
Genus
Vaccinium
Species
angustifolium
Category
Woody
Type
Shrub (evergreen)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
1-5
Canadian Hardiness Zone
0a-6b
Temperature (°C)
-46
Temperature (°F)
-50
Height
10-60 cm
Spread
10-60 cm
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
May
General Description
A low growing evergreen bush. It has a straggly, spreading form and produces small leaves and blueberries.
Cultivation
Does 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.
Shape
Low, open-growing.
Growth
Medium
ID Characteristic
Blueberries, white flowers, thin small leaved foliage. Very low, almost a ground cover, forms a 'mat' covering the ground.
Pests
Generally 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.
Habitat
Dry, rocky, open barren lands in North America on acidic soils.
Bark/Stem Description
New growth is a semi-glossy green turning to a medium brown with age. Stems show some red colour in the winter.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Tiny brownish-red buds, 2-3 mm long and 1-2 mm wide.
Leaf Description
Dark 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 Description
Flower 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 Description
Dark blue, sometimes purple-black berries that appear in mid-summer, 5-10 mm across. They have a sweet, sometimes bitter taste.
Colour Description
White 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 Description
Overall medium texture in all seasons.
Notable Specimens
The French River district of Ontario has many amazing groupings.
Propagation
Cuttings taken in June will grow well, especially under misted conditions. Also propagated by seed.
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