Vaccinium floribundum

RHS Plant Profile
mortiña

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Vaccinium floribundum?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants

Other common names

mortitia

Synonyms

Vaccinium mortinia

Fruit Edible Shrubs
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
1 Suppliers

A rare and highly attractive, compact, evergreen shrub with rich, bronze-red, young foliage that turns a dark green later in the year. Clusters of drooping rose pink-white flowers appear in early summer and are followed by red, edible fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 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
Evergreen
Habit
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
Correct

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. Alternatively grow in containers or raised beds filled with peat-free, ericaceous compost . Pot grown plants benefit from winter protection. For optimal pollination and yield plant three different cultivars. 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

  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Edible fruit
  • 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