Vaccinium nummularia
Nummularia-like blueberry
A low-growing, compact, evergreen shrub to around 20cm high with slender, bristly shoots bearing small, dark green, wrinkled leaves. Small racemes of bell-shaped, white to pink flowers are borne at the tips of the shoots in early summer and are followed by globular, black edible berries
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Pink White | Green | ||
Autumn | Green | Black Blue | ||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Vaccinium can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs or small trees, with simple leaves and small, bell- or urn-shaped flowers followed by juicy, sometimes edible berries
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Himalaya
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant in a sheltered site in well-drained, moisture-retentive, acidic soil in part shade. Alternatively grow in containers or raised beds filled with ericaceous compost
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Rock garden
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
- Edible fruit
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, root rot and chlorosis due to iron and manganese deficiency; see nutrient deficiencies
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