Crowberry
Empetrum nigrum · Ericaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around crowberry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- Spring (April-May)
- Adult size
- 0.3 to 0.5 m tall × 0.5 to 1 m wide
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -30 °C)
- Origin
- Arctic and subarctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America
- Soil type
- Acidic, well-drained, poor to moderately fertile
Care
Exposure
Plant black crowberry in full sun or partial shade for optimal fruiting. It tolerates windy, exposed areas very well and withstands demanding mountain conditions. An open exposure promotes compact growth and fruit production.
Soil and planting
This plant requires acidic soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5), well-drained and poor. Enrich the soil with peat or heather soil at planting time. Avoid chalky soils and overly rich soils that slow its growth.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to establish the root system. Once well-established, crowberry tolerates moderate drought. During prolonged dry spells, maintain slight moisture; however, avoid waterlogging.
Pruning and maintenance
No regular pruning is necessary. Simply remove dead wood or damaged branches in spring. The plant naturally grows in a compact, low form; excessive intervention would slow its growth.
Fertilization
Black crowberry prefers poor soils and requires virtually no fertilizer. A light application of heather plant fertilizer in spring is sufficient. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers that would favor foliage at the expense of fruiting.
Diseases and pests
Very resistant, crowberry rarely suffers from diseases if it benefits from good drainage and soil acidity. In case of stagnant moisture, root rot may occur. No major pests typically threaten it.
Did you know?
The small black berries of black crowberry are edible and long nourished Nordic and Inuit peoples during long winters. In Laponia and Scandinavia, the plant is still traditionally harvested for its fruits with a distinctive, astringent and slightly sweet flavor. Its Latin name nigrum means 'black' in reference to the distinctive color of its fruits.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- CowberryVaccinium vitis-idaea
- Cross-leaved heathErica tetralix
- Bog rosemaryAndromeda polifolia
- BearberryArctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Strawberry treeArbutus unedo
- Tree HeathErica arborea
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.