Vaccinium vitis-idaea
LINGONBERRY, COWBERRY, MOUNTAIN CRANBERRY
SKU: 1429-20
Description
Vaccinium vitis-idaea, the lingonberry, partridgeberry, mountain cranberry or cowberry, is a small evergreen shrub in the heath family Ericaceae, that bears edible fruit. It is native to boreal forest and Arctic tundra throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from Europe and Asia to North America.
Vaccinium vitis-idaea spreads by underground stems to form dense clonal colonies. The flowers are bell-shaped, white to pale pink, 3–8 mm (1⁄8–3⁄8 in) long, and produced in the early summer The flowers are pollinated by multiple insect species, including Andrena lapponica and several species of bumblebee.
The fruit is a red berry 6–10 mm (1⁄4–3⁄8 in) across, with an acidic taste, ripening in late summer to autumn. While bitter early in the season, they sweeten if left on the branch through winter.
The plant is endangered in Michigan. The minus subspecies is listed as a species of special concern and believed extirpated in Connecticut.
Vaccinium vitis-idaea keeps its leaves all winter even in the coldest years, unusual for a broad-leaved plant, though in its natural habitat it is usually protected from severe cold by snow cover. It is extremely hardy, tolerating temperatures as low as −40 °C (−40 °F) or lower, but grows poorly where summers are hot. It prefers some shade (as from a forest canopy) and constantly moist, acidic soil. Nutrient-poor soils are tolerated but not alkaline soils.
Type: Hardy shrub
Height: 15cm, 6"
Hardiness zones: 2-7
Soil: This plant likes acidic soil, which can easily be provided with evergreen needles. Grow your plants on the south (sunny) side of pine/spruce trees, or place pine/spruce needles at the base of the blueberry.
Seeds per pack: 20
Germination: Start these seeds right away for best germination rates. Start indoors. Soak the seeds for 12-24 hours before planting. Your planting container should have holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Then cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 60-90 days. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature (20-22 °C, 68-72 °F) for them to germinate. Germination is generally 30-90 days after the warming period, though some can take longer. Do not discard the planting tray, as patience is needed, and they are well worth the wait.
Description
Vaccinium vitis-idaea, the lingonberry, partridgeberry, mountain cranberry or cowberry, is a small evergreen shrub in the heath family Ericaceae, that bears edible fruit. It is native to boreal forest and Arctic tundra throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from Europe and Asia to North America.
Vaccinium vitis-idaea spreads by underground stems to form dense clonal colonies. The flowers are bell-shaped, white to pale pink, 3–8 mm (1⁄8–3⁄8 in) long, and produced in the early summer The flowers are pollinated by multiple insect species, including Andrena lapponica and several species of bumblebee.
The fruit is a red berry 6–10 mm (1⁄4–3⁄8 in) across, with an acidic taste, ripening in late summer to autumn. While bitter early in the season, they sweeten if left on the branch through winter.
The plant is endangered in Michigan. The minus subspecies is listed as a species of special concern and believed extirpated in Connecticut.
Vaccinium vitis-idaea keeps its leaves all winter even in the coldest years, unusual for a broad-leaved plant, though in its natural habitat it is usually protected from severe cold by snow cover. It is extremely hardy, tolerating temperatures as low as −40 °C (−40 °F) or lower, but grows poorly where summers are hot. It prefers some shade (as from a forest canopy) and constantly moist, acidic soil. Nutrient-poor soils are tolerated but not alkaline soils.
Type: Hardy shrub
Height: 15cm, 6"
Hardiness zones: 2-7
Soil: This plant likes acidic soil, which can easily be provided with evergreen needles. Grow your plants on the south (sunny) side of pine/spruce trees, or place pine/spruce needles at the base of the blueberry.
Seeds per pack: 20
Germination: Start these seeds right away for best germination rates. Start indoors. Soak the seeds for 12-24 hours before planting. Your planting container should have holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Then cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 60-90 days. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature (20-22 °C, 68-72 °F) for them to germinate. Germination is generally 30-90 days after the warming period, though some can take longer. Do not discard the planting tray, as patience is needed, and they are well worth the wait.
