Common Name: Sweet Hurts

General Information

Vaccinium boreale is a deciduous shrub growing 1 - 9cm tall, spreading by superficial rhizomes to form small dense colonies[].
The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for local use as a food, and is sometimes harvested on a commercial basis for sale[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Northeast N. America - Ontario to Newfoundland, south to New York.

Habitat

Headlands, open, rocky uplands, alpine heaths and meadows, forest-tundra; at elevations from sea level to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.05 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould[, ]. They prefer a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[]. Requires shelter from strong winds[].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The blue berries are around 3 - 5mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[]. Once they are about 5cm tall, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[]. Slow and difficult.
Layering in late summer or early autumn[]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[]. Takes 18 months[].
Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[].