Vaccinium Gardening[an error occurred while processing this directive][an error occurred while processing this directive] | ||||||
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Vaccinium is a genus of deciduous or evergreen shrubs or dwarf shrubs in the family Ericaceae, comprising about 450 species. Most of the species are found mostly in the cooler areas of Northern Hemisphere and in mountains of South America. The plant structures varies between species. Some are dwarf shrubs, some are larger shrubs and some trailing along the ground. Some species are grown for their attractive foliage and some for their flowers and delicious edible fruits. Cranberry, Blueberry, Bilberry (whortleberry), Lingonberry (cowberry), Crowberry, Farkleberry and Huckleberry are fruits from many species of Vaccinium which are edible and have great commercial value. Blueberries are one of the most popular of the berries. They can be eaten fresh or baked into many types of cakes and desserts. They can be dried, canned or froze for use throughout the seasons. Blueberry plants have bell-shaped, waxy white flowers in spring and vivid autumn colors, which make them awesome landscape plants. Blueberry plants are self-pollinating, and the fruits begin to ripe in early summer and continue over a period of several weeks. The plants require soil of pH 4.0-5.5, so it is advisable to test your soil's pH before you plant them. Larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) species, such as Dot Moth, Hebrew Character, Small Square-spot and Ingrailed Clay used Vaccinium as food plants. Plant Vaccinium in sun or partial shade , in well-drained and acidic soil. Propagation is by greenwood cuttings ( deciduous) in early summer; semi-ripe cuttings (evergreen) in late summer. Vaccinium rarely needs pruning but straggly shoots can be cut back if necessary. Vaccinium vitis-idaea Author: Wildfeuer (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic) Vaccinium macrocarpon Author: Sten (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0-unported) Vaccinium reticulatum Author: Forest & Kim Starr (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0-unported) Vaccinium corymbosum Author: Aconcagua (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0-unported) Vaccinium parvifolium Author: Walter Siegmund (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0) | ||||||
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