Low Sweet Blueberry
Vaccinium angustifolium laevifolium

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

Vaccinium angustifolium laevifolium is a deciduous Shrub growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.7 m (2ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Dry open barrens, peats and rocks.

North-eastern N. America.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Fruit - raw, cooked or used in preserves etc. A very sweet pleasant flavour with a slight taste of honey. Largely grown for the canning industry. The fruit can be dried and used like raisins. The fruit is about 12mm in diameter. A tea is made from the leaves and dried fruits.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

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. 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. Requires shelter from strong winds. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -40°c. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions. Cultivated for its edible fruits, there are some named varieties. It succeeds in cold northerly locations such as Maine in N. America and in central Sweden. However, it is said to have little or no value as a fruit crop in Britain. This sub-species is more commonly grown in Britain than the typical form. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. 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. Slow and difficult. Layering in late summer or early autumn. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer. Takes 18 months. Division of suckers in spring or early autumn.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 2-6

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

V. pennsylvanicun angustifolium.