Vaccinium vitis-idaea Miss Cherry - Bilberry

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 'Miss Cherry' (Meliro) is a new variety of red cranberry that is both ornamental and delicious. This small bush will be appreciated for its dense ball-shaped habit, its small evergreen boxwood-like leaves in winter, and its generous flowering, followed by abundant fruiting in a beautiful bright red colour. Renowned for their richness in vitamins and antioxidants, the slightly acidic berries are mainly used to make juice, jellies, and jams, or to accompany game or sauced dishes. Very hardy and disease resistant, this variety is easily grown in acidic, moist but well-drained soil, in partial shade. Red cranberries can be planted as low hedges, in flower beds, in pots, or in containers.

Cranberries belong to the Ericaceae family, just like blueberries, heathers, and rhododendrons. Red cranberries, known as Vaccinium vitis-idaea in Latin, also known as mountain cranberry, grow naturally on acidic and peaty soils in wooded areas of mountainous regions in northern Europe, North America, and even Antarctica. In France, this species is mainly found in the Jura and the Alps, where it is protected. It is a slow-growing evergreen shrub, extremely cold-hardy, with a low and spreading habit that spreads through underground rhizomes.

The 'Miss Cherry' cultivar, with a more rounded habit, will reach an average height of 40cm (16in), with a spread of 35cm (14in). The leaves are ovate, leathery, glossy, 1 to 3cm (0 to 1in) long, dark green on the upper side, and adorned with small brown glands on the underside. Tightly clustered on flexible and brownish branches, they form a dense and lush foliage that remains decorative even in winter. The flowering occurs first in May-June on the previous year's wood, and again in July-August on the current year's shoots. The flowers are small campanulate bells, 5 to 7mm (0.2in) long, tinted pink on a white-cream background, clustered at the tips of the stems. Very popular with bees, this flowering gives way to round berries, 1cm (0.5in) in diameter, shiny and bright red when ripe, very decorative. Harvesting takes place in two stages: first in early summer, and then again in September-October, and can last until January-February depending on the region. This Miss Cherry variety is self-fertile, one plant is enough to get a bountiful harvest.

Cranberries are mainly consumed in Northern European and American countries and are both ornamental, medicinal, and edible plants. Their tart fruit is low in calories but highly nutritious: it is rich in vitamins A, B, and C, minerals, and antioxidants. It can be consumed freshly picked, as juice, jam, jelly, sorbet, as a garnish for game, in sauces, or to flavour certain liqueurs and wine. Cranberries can be stored for about ten days after picking and can be frozen for longer preservation. In the garden, Vaccinum vitis-idaea Miss Cherry finds its place in partially shaded areas, along the edge of woodlands, in orchards, or along an east-facing wall. This small bush will integrate perfectly into acidic soil flower beds, alongside rhododendrons, Japanese azaleas, hydrangeas, andromedas, Mayberry... It will also thrive in a beautiful pot on the terrace or balcony, where it will offer its abundant fruiting within reach: keep an eye on watering (with non-limestone water) and regularly feed your cranberry.