Vaccinium erythrinum

RHS Plant Profile
red-twigged whortleberry

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red-twigged whortleberry RHS / Joanna Kossak
red-twigged whortleberry RHS / Joanna Kossak
Conservatory Greenhouse Fruit Edible Shrubs

A compact, evergreen shrub with small, leathery, glossy, darkgreen leaves on red stems. One-sided sprays of deep brick red, urn-shaped flowers appear in late spring, followed by edible, purple berries in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–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)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
Java

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, acidic compost in a warm greenhouse or conservatory in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in mid to late summer or layer in mid-summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Edible fruit

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