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Fruit EdibleShrubs

Vaccinium vitis-idaea

cowberry

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

Other common names

flowering box
hurtleberry
see morehurts
lingberry
lingonberry
munshock
red whortleberry
whinberry
brawlins
foxberry
mountain cranberry

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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)

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
Low Maintenance
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

Get involved

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