Vaccinium myrtilloides

The velvetleaf blueberry is a deciduous shrub in the heather family (Ericaceae), native to the northeastern and Great Lakes states of the United States, as well as to Montana and Washington. It can be found in the mountains of North Carolina and most of Canada. It is primarily found at higher elevations on ridges, mountaintops, wet meadows, bogs, fens and forests. It will cross-pollinate with the low-bush blueberry and can be distinguished from it by hairs on the leaves.

Velvetleaf blueberry grows 1 to 2 feet tall in part shade to full sun in moist sandy or rocky, well-drained acidic soils. It will often form colonies.

Clusters of hanging bell-shaped pink to white flowers appear in spring. There are 5 fused petals with lips that curl backward. The leaves are up to 2 inches long and are densely covered with fine white hairs. The berries are up to 1/3 inch in diameter and are purple, usually with a waxy, powdery blue coating. They are grown commercially as the berries are very good.

This shrub can be grown in zones 7 or lower in the edible garden and prefers cool summers.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems:  Deer and rabbits will eat the leaves. Potential diseases include mummy berry, witches' broom, twig and stem blight, fruit rot and leaf spot. Potential insects include cranberry fruit worm, aphids, leafrollers, winter moths and whiteflies.

More information on Vaccinium.