Вакциниум

Family Ericaceae. Evergreen dwarf shrub, naturally occurring in the tundra and forest zone of the Northern Hemisphere.

"Koralle" - a compact, spherical bush with a height and diameter of 30 cm. Blooms and bears fruit twice per season (blooms in May and July, fruits in July and September), especially decorative from July to September.

"Red Perl" - a bush 25 cm in height and diameter, berries round and dark red. Blooms and bears fruit twice per season.

"Erntesegen" - a spreading bush 40 cm high. The largest-fruited cultivar.

As low-growing groundcover plants you can use the cultivars "Masovia" and "Костромская розовая". Lingonberry and its cultivars withstand winter frosts down to -30 °C and do not require covering.

Location: Lingonberry grows both in full sun and in partial shade, but fruits well only with 100% light exposure.

Soil: similar to that for ericaceous plants, i.e. it should be loose, permeable to water and air and, most importantly, acidic. The optimal soil pH level for an ericaceous garden is 3.5-4.5. Slightly acidic or neutral soil should be regularly acidified. For this, sulfur is applied (40 g per 1 sq. m) or the area is watered once every 7-10 days with water containing acid battery electrolyte at a rate of 2-3 ml per 1 l of water. Ericaceous plants grow best on raised peat, but a mixture of raised peat with sand, sawdust, or needles will also do. An interesting solution for arranging an ericaceous garden is the use of sawn peat. Peat "bricks" are laid out as a border, inside which soil is filled and plants are planted. The surface of the soil is mulched with sawdust or sand (a layer of 3-5 cm). Cedar nut husks or pine bark look very attractive as mulch and at the same time help to acidify the soil.

Care: soil moisture and watering - moderate. In hot dry weather cooling waterings or misting are desirable.

Propagation: by cuttings in a cold frame at the end of summer.