Red huckleberry
Vaccinium parvifolium · Ericaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around red huckleberry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring (April-May)
- Fruits
- Red berries in autumn
- Adult size
- 1.5 to 3 m tall
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5-8 (-15 to -5°C)
- Origin
- West Coast of North America
- Soil type
- Acidic, well-drained, rich in organic matter
Care
Exposure
Place your lingonberry in part shade or partial shadow. It tolerates direct sun if the soil stays cool and moist, but prefers dappled light, especially in warm regions. Avoid hot south-facing exposure in summer.
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly during the growing season and in dry periods, especially in summer. Preferably use non-calcareous or rainwater, as this plant appreciates acidity.
Soil
Require acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Enrich the soil with peat, pine needles, or acidic compost. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot in winter.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune after fruit harvest or in late winter to remove dead or poorly oriented branches. Light pruning stimulates branching and fruiting. Regularly clean up crossing or diseased branches.
Fertilizer
Apply fertilizer for acid-loving plants in spring and early summer. An application of acidic compost in autumn is generally sufficient. Avoid calcareous fertilizers that upset the soil's pH balance.
Diseases and pests
Watch for rot problems if soil is too moist. Birds enjoy the berries; netting may prove useful. Overall, lingonberry is resilient if soil and moisture conditions are respected.
Did you know?
The lingonberry is highly prized in Scandinavia and Russia, where it grows naturally in forests. Its tart berries, rich in vitamins, have been traditionally used in cooking and jams for centuries. It's a plant that prefers the acidity of forest soil, hence its difficulty adapting to gardens with neutral or alkaline soil.
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.