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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Fragaria x ananassa Close up of flower
Rubus allegheniensis Rubus allegheniensis
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis

Bilberries Vaccinium

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
vak-SIN-ee-um
Description

This genus encompasses shrubs of several fruits including blueberries and cranberries. Many species are native to North America, including NC, and grow well in our local climate and acidic soils.

There are multiple cultivars. Some are heat tolerant, early fruiting, late fruiting, or disease resistant. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • shrub with cane growth
  • old stems are brown and exfoliating
  • young stems are yellowish-green, and red during the winter
  • leaves are alternate, elliptic to ovate, entire margins, greenish-blue in color, and the undersides are lighter and glaucous
  • urn-shaped blooms arranged in racemes, varying color from white to pink
  • fruits are berries that are initially green, then reddish-pink, and then blue with a glaucous coat

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The most serious pests are birds that devour fruits. To protect the shrubs, cover them either individually or in groups with plastic netting. Aphids may be seen on the shrubs, and powdery mildew can occur.

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:
V. angustifolium, V. arboreum, V. corymbosum, V. crassifolium, V. elliottii, V. formosum, V. fuscatum, V. macrocarpon, V. myrsinites, V. oldhamii, V. pallidum, V. stamineum, V. tenellum, V. virgatum
Tags:
#cultivars#white flowers#shrub#pink flowers#showy fruits#red fruits#bush#blue fruits#edible fruits#acidic soils tolerant#fruits summer#ebh-fn#perennial#early childhood#landscape plant sleuths course#child#children#preschool#early care#easy edibles
 
Vaccinium
Blueberries, a well-known Vaccinium fruit CC0
Vaccinium
Cranberry fruit and flower Andrea Pokrzywinski CC BY 2.0
Vaccinium
Huckleberries GlacierNPS Public Domain Mark 1.0
Vaccinium consanguineum
Fruit Coliner CC BY-SA 3.0
Vaccinium myrtilloides
Berries Treetime.ca CC BY-SA 3.0
Vaccinium myrtillus
Fruit Anneli Salo CC BY-SA 3.0
Vaccinium uliginosum
Fruit David Gaya CC BY-SA 2.5
Vaccinium uliginosum
Fruit and Leaves Florian Grossir CC BY-SA 4.0
Vaccinium vitis-idaea
Red Berries H. Zell CC BY-SA 3.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
V. angustifolium, V. arboreum, V. corymbosum, V. crassifolium, V. elliottii, V. formosum, V. fuscatum, V. macrocarpon, V. myrsinites, V. oldhamii, V. pallidum, V. stamineum, V. tenellum, V. virgatum
Tags:
#cultivars#white flowers#shrub#pink flowers#showy fruits#red fruits#bush#blue fruits#edible fruits#acidic soils tolerant#fruits summer#ebh-fn#perennial#early childhood#landscape plant sleuths course#child#children#preschool#early care#easy edibles
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Vaccinium
    Family:
    Ericaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Distribution:
    Worldwide
    Play Value:
    Edible fruit
    Edibility:
    All fruits in this genus are safe to eat, though a few are not palatable. Most are sweet and/or tart and many, including blueberries and cranberries, are grown commercially for their fruit.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    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:
    Fruit shape, color, and size vary with species with many being dark blue or bright red. They all have a distinct "crown" of 4-5 parts on the blossom end. The fruits are initially green, transition to reddish-pink, then blue with a glaucous coat.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Solitary
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Urn
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers vary but are often small and urn-shaped with fused petals. Their color ranges from white to pink.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    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:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The non-distinct leaves are often elliptic to ovate and have an alternate arrangement. The leaves are greenish-blue during the summer, and the undersides are lighter in color and glaucous. The leaves have bright fall colors and may be red, yellow, orange, or bronze.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Old stems are brown and exfoliating. Young stems are yellowish-green. Most blueberry stems are red during the winter.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small groups