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Deerberry Vaccinium stamineum

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
vak-SIN-ee-um sta-MIN-ee-um
Description

Deerberry is a native deciduous shrub that is found in all parts of NC.  It may grow 5 to 15 feet tall and nearly as wide with leaves that are alternate with a smooth margin and fuzzy underside. The bark is gray-brown to reddish-brown and very shreddy. In spring, small, white, bell-shaped flowers mature. The shrub produces a purplish-black berry that matures in late summer or fall. It spreads by runners to form clumps and is drought tolerant once established.

Grow this shrub in acidic, rich, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Deer, birds and small mammals eat the berries. It is best used in a naturalized area, native plant garden or open woodland. Pair it with other acid-loving plants like blueberries, native azaleas or native hydrangeas.

Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:  Chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) may occur in high pH soils. Potential but infrequent disease problems include stem blight, root rot, anthracnose, cane cankers, mildew and botrytis. Watch for azalea stem borer, fall webworm, scale, and tent caterpillars.

More information on Vaccinium.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Woodland Backyard Garden Walk
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#native shrub#low maintenance#fall interest#showy fruits#small mammals#fire low flammability#NC native#naturalizes#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source fall#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#brown elfin butterfly#hedge#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#native shrub#low maintenance#fall interest#showy fruits#small mammals#fire low flammability#NC native#naturalizes#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source fall#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#brown elfin butterfly#hedge#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Vaccinium
    Species:
    stamineum
    Family:
    Ericaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Canada to Mexico
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WV
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant provides nectar for pollinators and supports Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus) larvae which have one flight and appear from May to July in the North and March to April in the South. Adult Brown Elfin butterflies feed on flower nectar. Adult butterflies nectar from the blooms. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, small mammals, ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, deer and black bears. Members of the genus Vaccinium support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Conandrena) bradleyi, Andrena (Andrena) carolina, Panurginus atramontensis, Habropoda laboriosa, Colletes productus, Colletes validus, and Osmia (Melanosmia) virga.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Edibility:
    Berries are edible but sour
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Native Plant
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/2 inch pale yellow to green to purple pear-shaped berries in loose dangling clusters. The fruits ripen from late summer to early fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1/4 inch broad, open bell-shaped, greenish-white flowers (sometimes pink-tinged) with 5 petals in leafy-bracted panicles. Yellowish stamens extend beyond the petals. It blooms April-early June.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    1-3 inch long and .75 to 1.25 inches wide leaves are alternate and simple with entire margins. They are green to blue-green with fuzzy white undersides. Fall color is reds to purples.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Red/Burgundy
    Bark Description:
    The bark is gray-brown to reddish-brown and very shreddy.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Description:
    Slender, zigzagged stems are green and red turning light brown; buds small and pointed.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Fire