Southern Blueberry Vaccinium formosum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Southern Blueberry:
- Phonetic Spelling
- vak-SIN-ee-um for-MOH-sum
- Description
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Swamp highbush blueberry is a deciduous shrub in the Ericaceae (heath) family. It is native to the southeastern United States and is commercially important to the area.
Its native habitat includes bogs, swamps (especially blackwater, or at least away from strong alluvial influence), seepage, depression ponds (dolines), and other moist grounds. It will not grow in locations that include lime in the soil but will grow in, and prefers, very acidic soils. Best fruiting occurs when situated in full sun.
This plant has the tendency to sucker and, therefore, can form small colonies.
Propagating from seed is best done in a protected setting, such as a greenhouse. At this point, swamp highbush blueberry prefers a lightly shaded location and should be kept in this environment at least through its first winter. After that time, it can be planted outside in a location with protection from strong winds.
Sometimes confused with smooth highbush blueberry, swamp highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) can be distinguished by its stems and leaf surfaces, which are pubescent with dingy hairs. It also has darker fruits that do not have a glaucous coating. It will have flowers that bloom earlier in the spring.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Vaccinium
- Species:
- formosum
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Layering
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America, New Jersey to Florida and Alabama
- Wildlife Value:
- Larval host plant for butterflies. Also attractive to bees and birds.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Textural
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Edibility:
- Fruits are edible fresh or cooked.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Blueberries with glaucus bloom. Displays from June to August and best fruit set occurs in the fulls sun.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Urn
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are longer than other high bush blueberries. Blooms from February to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves tend to be broader below the center.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Bark Description:
- Woody old growth is brown and exfoliating.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Description:
- Young stems are hairless and have green bark.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
