Japanese Blueberries Vaccinium oldhamii
Other Common Name(s):
- Description
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Japanese blueberries are in the Ericaceae (heath) family and native to east China, South Korea, and Japan. This multistemmed edible shrub can grow to a height of 12 feet and requires a moist site with good drainage and prefers soil that is rich in peat or loamy. It does best in full sun with soil that has an abundance of acid. Growing it in locations not providing full sun will result in less-than-desired fruit production.
It does not like its roots disturbed, so start or plant in pots until a permanent location is chosen. Seed can be started in a greenhouse in a somewhat shady area. Spending their first winter in these conditions will be beneficial for the seedlings. In late spring or early summer, they can then be planted outdoors in a permanent location protected from high winds.
This blueberry can be used in a wide range of locations: in a container, meadow, naturalized area, patio, pond, or woodland. Include it as a border, privacy hedge, or mass planting in an edible garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant problems: No significant problems. Leaves will become chlorotic in high pH soils.
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:
- oldhamii
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. China, S. Korea, and Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Edible fruit
- Edibility:
- The fruits are edible both raw and cooked.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are in the form of a small, dark berry which are darker and smaller than other blueberries.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Urn
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Each raceme can have 8 to 20 nodding flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The upper surface of the leaves is sprinkled with bristles. More bristly on the midrib and the veins on the underside.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Description:
- Multi-branched.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
