Blueberry - Vaccinium myrtillus

Common Bilberry, known as Vaccinium myrtillus, grows spontaneously in mountains at low and medium altitudes. This low-lying shrub spreads horizontally over time to form dense mats. Its spring flowering produces delicious dark blue berries in summer, tastier than cultivated blueberries but less abundant. Very cold-resistant, it only grows in acidic and moist soil, unable to tolerate limestone or dry conditions. Its green foliage turns beautiful shades of red in autumn.

The Bilberry belongs to the Ericaceae family, mainly known in gardens for its numerous ornamental genera. In addition to the well-known Rhododendrons and Heathers, there are also edible fruit-bearing Ericaceae: mainly Strawberry Trees and the Vaccinium genus, which includes blueberries, cranberries, and lingonberries. The shrubby Bilberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), native to North America, is the one cultivated in gardens for its abundant and high-quality fruit production. The wild Bilberry is Vaccinium myrtillus, much rarer in cultivation, mainly appreciated by foragers in the wild. This botanical species is widespread in Europe and North America, up to boreal zones, demonstrating its excellent hardiness. It thrives in medium-altitude mountains, up to 2500 m, growing in forests, heathlands, and peat bogs, where it finds the necessary climatic and soil conditions to thrive.
The common Bilberry is a low-lying shrub, with angular, slightly winged, green, and very erect stems measuring 30 to 50 or 60 cm in height. They bear small deciduous, 2 to 4 cm long, elliptical leaves with fine teeth. They are light to medium green and turn red in autumn. Small flowers of about 5 mm in length appear around May, bell-shaped with fused petals (gamopetalous) and pale in colour (pink or greenish). They develop during summer to produce small almost black blueberries, with a chalky appearance, which are the wild bilberries, good to harvest in July-August. These berries have a very good nutritional profile, being lower in carbohydrates than cultivated blueberries while having an even better taste. They are rich in fibre, contain a wide variety of vitamins and have antioxidant properties. Above all, they are delicious to eat raw or cooked. 

With its extreme hardiness (-30°C approximately), the common Bilberry only grows in acidic, non-limestone soils, as it would otherwise suffer from chlorosis and decline. It requires moist soil and is sensitive to dry heat. At higher altitudes, it can grow in full sun, but in lowlands, it will perform better in partial shade. It is important to understand that it is not an easy plant to cultivate and while it can form robust low mats in its natural habitat, it is another story in the garden. It is best suited for enthusiasts with a garden located in a favourable zone, such as a mountain foothill on siliceous soil. It will appeal to lovers of native wild plants. Plant it in the foreground of a bed that can also accommodate Mountain Laurels or Kalmia, which have similar requirements and will delight you with their magnificent flowering, consisting of a multitude of small coloured cups open in May-June. And in the background, plant Enkianthus campanulatus Red Bells, a rare but very decorative shrub with beautiful bicoloured red and white spring blossoms.