Bog Bilberry
Vaccinium uliginosum
Also listed as Myrtillus uliginosus
Also known as Bog Blueberry, Northern Bilberry, Alpine Bilberry
Climate Match for your location
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A low-growing deciduous shrub with small pink or white flowers in spring followed by blue-black berries. Native to boreal and subarctic regions, it thrives in cool, boggy conditions with acidic soil.
Why grow it
Bog bilberry offers cold hardiness and productive berry yield in marginal sites where conventional fruit shrubs struggle, particularly in northern climates with short growing seasons. It requires less pruning and maintenance than highbush blueberries while tolerating wetter, more acidic soils. The fruit can be used fresh or preserved, and the plant provides wildlife value through its flowers and berries.
Watch out for
Establishing consistent moisture and acidic soil conditions is essential, as the plant performs poorly in neutral or alkaline conditions or in sites that dry out seasonally. Growth tends to be slow in the first few years, so patience is needed before substantial harvests. In warmer climates or milder microclimates, the plant may struggle to meet its dormancy requirements or suffer from fungal issues in humid conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern hemisphere (boreal regions)
Native to: Alaska, California, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A low-growing deciduous shrub with small pink or white flowers in spring followed by blue-black berries. Native to boreal and subarctic regions, it thrives in cool, boggy conditions with acidic soil.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Bog Bilberry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Bog bilberry offers cold hardiness and productive berry yield in marginal sites where conventional fruit shrubs struggle, particularly in northern climates with short growing seasons. It requires less pruning and maintenance than highbush blueberries while tolerating wetter, more acidic soils. The fruit can be used fresh or preserved, and the plant provides wildlife value through its flowers and berries.
Watch out for
Establishing consistent moisture and acidic soil conditions is essential, as the plant performs poorly in neutral or alkaline conditions or in sites that dry out seasonally. Growth tends to be slow in the first few years, so patience is needed before substantial harvests. In warmer climates or milder microclimates, the plant may struggle to meet its dormancy requirements or suffer from fungal issues in humid conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern hemisphere (boreal regions)
Native to: Alaska, California, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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