Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Interior Form) – Lingonberry – Ericaceae (The Heath Family)

Description Vaccinium vitis-idaea, commonly known as lingonberry, is a small, trailing, evergreen shrub native to the northern hemisphere. The bell-shaped flowers are white to pale pink followed by masses of tasty, tart berries that ripen in late summer and get sweeter as they age, especially if left on the plants through winter. The berries can be eaten raw or processed for jams, jellies and preserves. Plants spread across the ground or by underground stems clothed in small, shiny, evergreen leaves to form dense clonal colonies 3-12 inches high and 12-36 inches wide making for an awesome edible ground cover or accent in a container. The lingonberry is a popular wild harvested fruit in Scandinavia and Newfoundland where they are called partridgeberries. Tolerant of shade though plants may have fewer blooms and berries. Attracts bees, birds and mammals. This form of Vaccinium vitis-idaea comes from the BC interior and is adapted to more heat and drier conditions.