Etymology
The name Vaccinium was used in classical Latin for a plant, possibly the bilberry or a hyacinth, and may be derived from the Latin bacca, meaning berry, although its ultimate derivation is obscure. Vitis-idaea comes from Latin meaning “vine of Mount Ida”. Mount Ida was a sacred mountain in Greek mythology.
Native Habitat
Slightly acidic, rocky barrens, arctic tundra, edges of bogs and boreal forests in northern areas of North America, Europe and Asia (zones 3-7). Found along the coast where it may occasionally receive salt spray on the edges of mixed woods and also on ledges.
Garden Uses
Deer-resistant, dainty evergreen ground cover that provides winter interest and edible fruit for part shade. Excellent choice as ground cover below shrubs.
Overview
A cool-weather trailing evergreen shrub that spreads to mats of 3 feet or more in full sun in moist, peaty loam soils, preferring full sun to fruit well. Close relative of cranberry and lowbush blueberry. A favorite in Scandinavia for fruit jellies, soups and syrups. To avoid foliage desiccation in exposed locations, cover in winter with evergreen bows if snow cover is inconsistent. An Eurasian variety (V. vitas variety majorus) has larger leaves and flowers, blooms twice a year, and is more typically sold in nurseries and for commercial use.
Leaves and Stems
Broad leaf evergreen; glossy leaves are 1/2 inch long and 1/4 inch wide. Undersides are dotted with black pores. Stems are thin, wiry and trailing.
Flowers
White to pinkish, bell-shaped flowers are < 1/4 inch long, growing terminally in clusters of 3 to 10 blossoms on one-year old wood.
Fruit/Seed
Red, showy, round tart berries are about 1/4 inch diameter.
Wildlife Associates
Berries are food for birds (grouse, migrating songbirds), and mammals (voles, chipmunks, foxes, bears, people). While foliage is a winter browse for caribou and moose, it is not favored by white-tail deer.
Propagation
Spreads by rhizomes; typically propagated by division. Aboveground trailing branches can be separated along with roots from the nodes.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Edible but tart; often cooked with a sweetener having a flavor similar to cranberry. Related to lowbush blueberries and cranberries, with similar profile of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Garden Location
Teaching Garden (see garden map)
Anecdotal Information
While self-pollinating, plant several varieties to increase fruiting.
Sources
Missouri Botanical Garden
UMass Amherst Center for Agriculture
Hyam, R. & Pankhurst, R.J. (1995). Plants and their names : a concise dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-866189-4. p. 515.
Coombes, Allen J. (1994). Dictionary of Plant Names. London: Hamlyn Books. ISBN 978-0-600-58187-1. p. 187.
Plant Profile by Kate O’Dell