Red Bilberry, Red huckleberry
Vaccinium parvifolium
Family: Ericaceae
What it is like
Vaccinium parvifolium is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft) by 1.8 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. 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.
Height (m): 1.8
Where it is found
Coastal forests.
Western N. America - Alaska to California.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Asia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Britain, Canada, China, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, North America, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Siberia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Fruit - raw or cooked and used in making jams, pies, jellies etc. The fruit can also be dried for later use. An acid flavour, but it is very palatable. The fruit makes a very superior jelly. The fruit is about 12mm in diameter. A tea is made from the dried fruit and leaves.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 1
Antiseptic, astringent, carminative, hypoglycaemic. A decoction of the bark has been used in the treatment of colds.
Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Carminative: Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
Hypoglycaemic: Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.
Other
Rating: 1
The long straight green stems and twigs have been used to make brooms.
Broom: Used for sweeping the floor etc.
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. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions. A very ornamental plant. This species is closely related to V. ovalifolium. 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: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Red bilberry, Red whortleberry,