Vaccinium erythrocarpum

RHS Plant Profile

southern mountain cranberry

Fruit Edible Shrubs

An erect, branching, deciduous shrub with dark green foliage that turns a brilliant red in autumn, pink-red flowers appear in spring and are followed by spherical, edible, scarlet red fruits in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: 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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
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: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in a sheltered site in well-drained, moisture-retentive, acidic soil, (pH 4.5-5.5) in sun or part shade. For further details see blueberry cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by taking softwood cuttings in late spring or semi-ripe cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
City and courtyard gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

More mature plants benefit from regular pruning. See blueberry pruning

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil larvae damage especially if container grown. Protect ripening fruit with netting from birds

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, root rot and chlorosis due to iron and manganese deficiency; see nutrient deficiencies