Practical
Plants

Vaccinium crassifolium

Creeping Blueberry

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.1 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[2][6]. The flavour is sweet but bland[8]. The fruit is about 4mm in diameter[7].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

Plants can be grown as a ground cover, the cultivars 'Bloodstone' and 'Well's Delight' have been specially recommended[6][7].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
South-eastern N. America.
Habitat
Sandy and peaty pinelands and barrens[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[9]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[4]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[7]. Once they are about 5cm tall, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[9]. Slow and difficult. Layering in late summer or early autumn[9]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[7]. Takes 18 months[9]. Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[4].

Cultivation

Requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould[3][7]. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[7]. Requires shelter from strong winds[7]. Not fully hardy in Britain, it is best grown in the milder areas of the country and is reluctant to flower in colder areas[1][3][5]. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[7]. Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties. 'Well's Delight' grows only 12 - 20cm tall, forming a nearly solid evergreen carpet and is recommended as an ornamental low-maintenance ground cover plant[6]. The fruit has a slight aromatic flavour[6]. 'Bloodstone' is another cultivar that has been recommended for ground cover[7]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  8. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  9. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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