Deerberry Vaccinium stamineum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- vak-SIN-ee-um sta-MIN-ee-um
- Description
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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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Woodland Backyard Garden Walk
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- 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:
- 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Red/Burgundy
- Bark Description:
- The bark is gray-brown to reddish-brown and very shreddy.
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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.
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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
