Vaccinium formosum
Swamp Highbush Blueberry
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Vaccinium genus in the family Ericaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[2][5]. Well-flavoured[6]. A reasonable size, 7 - 12mm in diameter[6].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Environment
- Range
- Eastern N. America - New Jersey to Florida and Alabama.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- very acid, acid
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[7]. 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[6]. 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[7]. Slow and difficult. Layering in late summer or early autumn[7]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[6]. Takes 18 months[7]. Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[4].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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][6]. 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[6]. Requires shelter from strong winds[6]. Often cultivated for its edible fruit[5], there are many named varieties[1]. Spreading by means of suckers, plants often form small colonies[6]. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[6]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-12-136450-x
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00