 Vaccinium ovatum |
Native Region: British Columbia to California, west of the Cascade Mountains Zone Range: 07-09 Preferred Climate: temperate coastal woodland, often by cedar stumps or logs Harvest Date: Sunday 23 September, 2012 Seed count: 60-75
Description:
Upright or spreading evergreen shrub to 4m tall (usually shorter) with glossy ovate leaves up to 5cm long with finely toothed margins. Produces clustered pink urn-shaped flowers 1cm wide in midspring to late summer followed by small spherical black edible berries that are popular with birds, wildlife, and people.
Notes: Provides food and shelter for birds and butterflies. May be leggy in deep shade. Can be grown in containers. Lore has the berries becoming sweeter after the first frost.
Cultivation: For maximum freshness, please keep seed refrigerated in its original packaging until it is time to plant. Sow seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Grow in acidic, peaty moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade.
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