Rabbiteye Blueberry
Vaccinium ashei

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

Vaccinium ashei is a deciduous Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft 5in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile. 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 moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

Swamps and barren pine land.

South-eastern N. America.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw or cooked. It is often insipid but some forms are well-flavoured. The fruit is often used for preserves etc and can also be dried for later use. The fruit is up to 16mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

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. Plants are not hardy in all parts of Britain, they should succeed outdoors in the milder areas, tolerating temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. Often cultivated for its edible fruit, there are many named varieties. Plants have a low chill-factor and so succeed in areas nearer the equator such as Florida. There is some confusion over this name with some authorities seeing it as no more than a synonym for V. virgatum. For the time being it will be kept here as a distinct species. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions. Established plants are drought resistant. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 2. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is multistemmed with multiple stems from the crown. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant.

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 soft wood, May/June in partial shade in media containing pine bark. 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: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Polycodium ashei. Harb.