Vaccinium Species, Bog Cranberry, European Cranberry, Small Cranberry,
Vaccinium oxycoccos
| Family: | Ericaceae (er-ek-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Vaccinium (vak-SIN-ee-um) (Info) |
| Species: | oxycoccos (ok-see-KOK-kohs) (Info) |
Category:
Edible Fruits and Nuts
Groundcovers
Water Requirements:
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Evergreen
Smooth
Provides Winter Interest
Foliage Color:
Height:
under 6 in. (15 cm)
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Pink
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
4.5 or below (very acidic)
4.6 to 5.0 (highly acidic)
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
By simple layering
Seed Collecting:
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Nome, Alaska
Petersville, Alaska
Trapper Creek, Alaska
South Ozone Park, New York
Devon, Pennsylvania
Port Matilda, Pennsylvania
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Aug 7, 2016, Rickwebb from Downingtown, PA wrote: I've only seen this species at Jenkins Arboretum in their small bog area on the edge of a big pond. It is native to much of northern Eurasia and to most of Canada, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, around the Great Lakes of the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic, and New England. Its tiny leaves are rolled underneath along the edges and its fruit is smaller than the Big Cranberry, being only 1/4 to 1/2" in diameter verses 1/2 to 1.0" on the other species. It is supposed to be pollinated by bees and also is often self-fertile. |
| Positive | On Aug 31, 2004, tagati from Beiseker, Collecting cranberries. Best to find a high mound of moss that has good sun exposure. Labrador tea, blueberries and pigeon berries(dogwood) are good indicators as to where to find bog cranberries. Berries are red on one side and white underneath. Berries lie right on the moss and later in the season are deep red all around. They only grow where there is moss. |
