Vaccinium pallidum

Common Names

Hillside Blueberry, Blue Ridge Blueberry, Lowbush Blueberry, Dryland Blueberry, Blueberry, Whortleberry, Bilberry, Huckleberry, Early Lowbush Blueberry, Late Lowbush Blueberry, Lowbush Huckleberry

Summary

Vaccinium pallidum, commonly called Blue Ridge blueberry or hillside blueberry, is a deciduous, rhizomatous shrub native to eastern North America that forms colonies. It typically reaches about 0.3–1 m tall, with leaves that are elliptic to ovate, 2–6 cm long, green to yellowish and turning red in autumn, and it bears white to pinkish urn-shaped flowers in racemes, followed by blue to blue-black berries with a waxy bloom; the berries are edible. Habitat includes dry woods, rocky slopes, and sandy soils, with a preference for acidic, lime-free soil (pH 4.5–6) and well-drained conditions; it grows in full sun to light shade and is drought-tolerant once established. It is cold-hardy to −10°C or lower and propagates by seed or hardwood cuttings, spreading by underground runners to form colonies. Uses include ground cover, erosion control on slopes, and ornamental or edible landscaping, with edible berries that can be used in pies or jelly.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-3 feet

Spread

24-36 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5a-8b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun. Also suitable in Partial Sun and Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Acidic, well-drained soil, preferably loamy, lime-free and rich in peat or with leaf-mould

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, acidic soil that remains moist but not waterlogged

Soil pH

4.5-6, acidic soil

Bloom Color

White to pinkish or greenish (often described as greenish-white with pink striping)

Bloom Time

Spring (April–May), with occasional reflowers in Fall (October).

Foliage Color

Green to blue-green foliage, often yellow-green, turning red in fall

Fall Foliage Color

Red, Orange, Burgundy

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, Butterflies, Birds