Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Vaccinium angustifolium
Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton
Lowbush Blueberry, Late Lowbush Blueberry
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Synonym(s): Vaccinium angustifolium var. hypolasium, Vaccinium angustifolium var. laevifolium, Vaccinium angustifolium var. nigrum, Vaccinium brittonii, Vaccinium lamarckii, Vaccinium nigrum
USDA Symbol: VAAN
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
A low, straggling shrub, usually 6 in. to 2 ft. tall and wide. Multiple stems; twiggy branches. Glossy foliage turns from red-green in spring to dark blue-green in summer to maroon-purple in fall. Small, white, pink-tinged, bell-shaped flowers are followed by edible blue fruit.
The berries are relished by wildlife and humans alike.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Blue
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: White, sometimes pink tinged.
Distribution
USA: CT , DE , IA , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Lab. to Sask., s. to New England, DE, WV, OH, n. IL & IA
Native Habitat: Open, conifer woods; sandy or rocky balds & old fields
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Acid, moist to droughty soils.
Conditions Comments: Susceptible to chlorosis due to alkalinity. Planting more than one plant is beneficial for fruit production.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Berries are relished by most birds and mammals.Use Food: Fruit edible.
Attracts: Birds
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSpecial Value to Bumble Bees
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Most commonly propagated by softwood cuttings taken in spring. Vaccinium will also root from hardwood cuttings of unbranched shoots of previous season. Seeds may need to be stratified and should be sown on a slightly acid soil mix.Seed Treatment: Stratify for 60-90 days at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Michigan native plants for shady, low traffic area
May 10, 2006
Hello, I am looking for a recommendation for a Michigan native groundcover. I live adjacent to the Rouge River watershed and want to buy the right thing. The location is shady, infrequently walked ...
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, The - Valhalla, NY
Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Vaccinium angustifolium in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Vaccinium angustifolium in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Vaccinium angustifolium
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-03-01Research By: TWC Staff