Vaccinium vitis-idaea Koralle Group

RHS Plant Profile

cowberry Koralle Group

RHS 2002

Synonyms

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 'Korale'
Vaccinium vitis-idaea 'Koralle'

Shrubs

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Koralle Group is a bushy dwarf evergreen shrub with neat, lustrous, leathery, obovate dark green leaves and terminal racemes of small, pink, bell-shaped flowers, followed by bright red berries 10mm in width

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Suckering
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in extremely acid soils that are moist but well-drained. Tolerant of shade and woodland edges. Susceptible to frost damage and delayed flowering in colder climes

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in mid to late summer or layer in mid-summer. Propagate by seed sown, in containers, in a cold-frame in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Low Maintenance
Ground cover

Pruning

Pruning group 8

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