Vaccinium vitis-idaea

RHS Plant Profile

cowberry

Other common names

brawlins, flowering box, foxberry, hurtleberry, hurts, lingberry, lingonberry, mountain cranberry, munshock, red whortleberry, whinberry

Fruit Edible Shrubs

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A European native with a dwarf, creeping habit, spreading up to 1.5m across, and dark green evergreen foliage. White, bell-shaped flowers in early summer are followed by tart, red fruits in July and August

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–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): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
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
Plant Range: Temp N Hemisphere

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in acidic, moist but well drained soil in partial shade, such as a woodland edge. May be susceptible to frost damage in colder climates. See blueberry cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in mid-late summer or layer in mid-summer. Alternatively sow seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Edible fruit

Pruning

pruning group 8. See blueberry 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