Vaccinium fuscatum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Ctanococcus virgatus
- Cyanococcus atrococcus
- Cyanococcus fuscatus
- Vaccinium atrococcum
- Vaccinium corymbosum var. atrococcum
- Phonetic Spelling
- vak-SIN-ee-um FUS-kah-tum
- Description
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Black Highbush Blueberries are a deciduous shrub in the heath family native to North America. It can be distinguished from other high bush blueberries by the hairs and dingy color of the underside of its leaves and its dark fruits that lack a white (glaucous) coating.
Its natural habitats include bogs, pocosins, swamps, wet woods, edges of lakes, and also in uplands. Its prefers moist or wet soils that do not contain lime. Soils high in acid are ideal. It will grow in both full sun and part shade, however, full sun location will yield the most fruits. Sheltering for high winds is desirable.
Not liking its roots disturbed, it can be grown in a container until its permanent position has been established. Allow the new plant to have at least one winter in an indoor location, such as a greenhouse. A shady spot in the greenhouse is ideal. Wait until the last frost before relocating to its permanent home.
The large, sweet, and juicy fruits can be eaten both raw or cooked. Wildlife also enjoy the fruits.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: None noted.
- 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:
- fuscatum
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, DE, KY, LA, MS, NC, NJ, SC, TN, TX, VA
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds. A host plant for butterfly larvae. Special value to native bees.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Edible fruit
- Textural
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Edibility:
- Fruits are highly edible fresh or cooked.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 12 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
- Multi-stemmed
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- 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:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Green
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Green ripening to black fruit displays from June to August. No glaucus coating unlike other blueberry fruits.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Urn
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Early spring white bell-shaped flowers bloom on axillary racemes from February to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Undersides of leaves are dingy and hairy. Veins raised and visible on the underside. The leaves may sometimes persist through the winter months.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Green
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Bark Description:
- New wood is green while older wood is brown with exfoliating bark.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- May turn red in winter
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Vertical Spaces
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
