Practical
Plants

Vaccinium fuscatum

Black Highbush Blueberry

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
3.5 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[8][1][7]. Large, sweet, juicy and very flavourful[5]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[7].

Plant part
Fruit

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - New Hampshire, Ontario and Indiana south to Florida and Arkansas.
Habitat
Swamps and pine barrens, wet woods and the edges of lakes[9][6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 4+
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[10]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[3]. 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[10]. Slow and difficult. Layering in late summer or early autumn[10]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[7]. Takes 18 months[10]. Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[3].

Cultivation

Requires a moist or wet lime free soil[2][6][7], preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould[2][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]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[6]. This species is often cultivated for its edible fruit[8]. Plants are self-sterile, at least two different varieties must be grown if seed is required[2]. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[7]. Closely related to V. corymbosum[2][4]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

References

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. 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

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

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

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  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  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. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩1↩2

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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