Vaccinium corymbosum
| Vaccinium corymbosum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 2 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-6.5 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 7' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Vaccinium corymbosum (common name: high-bush blueberry)
Propagation: Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[1]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[2]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[3]. 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 greenwood, May/June in a shady position in a compost that contains some peat[2].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[1]. Slow and difficult.
Cuttings of mature wood, harvested in November and stored in a fridge then planted in a frame in March.
Layering in late summer or early autumn[1]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[3]. Takes 18 months[1].
Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[2].
Cultivation: 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[4][3]. 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[3]. Requires shelter from strong winds[3].
Hardy to about -25°c[5].
Often cultivated for its edible fruit in America[6], it is the most common and successful blueberry to be cultivated in Britain[4]. There are many named varieties[6]. A very variable plant, it usually blossoms freely in Britain[4]. Plants are at least partially self-sterile, more than one variety is required in order to obtain good yields of fruit[7].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[3].
Does not grow well with blackberries or raspberries[8].
Closely related to V. atrococcum and V. virgatum[7].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].
Range: Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Quebec and south to Florida..
Habitat: Swamps, low wet woods, pine barrens and dry uplands[9].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[10][11][9][12][13]. It is usually sweet and juicy, though the flavour can be variable[4]. It can be used in pies, pastries, cereals, jellies etc[6]. The fruit can also be dried and used like raisins[6]. The fruit is rich in vitamin C[8]. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter[3].
A tea is made from the leaves and dried fruit[14].
Medicinal: Astringent, pectoral[8].
Pollinators: Bees
Notes: One for the sunny woodland edge.
We can obtain plants for you if you cannot find them.
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Simmons, Alan. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles, 1972.
- ↑ Elias, Thomas. A Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1982.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Turner, Nancy. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences, 1978.