Bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus · Ericaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around bilberry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- April to June, white/pink flowers
- Fruits
- Blue-black berries, August to September
- Adult size
- 0.3 to 0.6 m in height
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-20°C and below)
- Origin
- Europe, Northern Asia, mountainous regions
- Soil type
- Acidic, humus-rich, well-drained
Care
Watering
Keep the soil constantly moist, especially during the growing period and when fruits are forming. Avoid waterlogging in winter. In containers, water regularly as the substrate dries out faster. Rainwater or slightly acidic water is ideal.
Light exposure
Prefer a semi-shaded to sunny location. Bilberry tolerates partial shade and actually fruits better in mountain areas with moderate light. Protect from strong drying winds.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly after harvest to improve branching. Remove dead or weak wood. Avoid severe pruning which reduces fruiting. Annual light cleanup is sufficient to maintain a nice shape.
Soil and drainage
Require acidic soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5). Enrich with leaf mold or blonde peat when planting. Ensure flawless drainage to prevent root suffocation, particularly in humid regions.
Fertilization
Apply balanced fertilizer for acid-loving plants in spring. A layer of compost or shredded bark on the surface provides slow feeding and maintains acidity. Limit nitrogen which favors foliage at the expense of fruits.
Diseases and pests
Bilberry is generally robust. Watch for fungi if moisture stagnates. Birds and certain insects enjoy the berries: netting can protect your harvest. Few serious health problems occur in suitable conditions.
Did you know?
Common bilberry has inspired Scandinavian and Celtic imagination since prehistoric times. In the Middle Ages, it was credited with magical properties to improve night vision, a belief still alive today. Wild berries remain a major economic resource in Russia and Scandinavia, harvested massively from forests.
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
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- BearberryArctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Strawberry treeArbutus unedo
- Tree HeathErica arborea
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.