Common Name: Darrow's Evergreen Blueberry

General Information

Vaccinium darrowi is a low-growing, evergreen shrub, usually growing 15 - 90cm tall, occasionally to 150cm; spreading by means of rhizomes, it can form extensive but open colonies[, ]. Plants can be deciduous in cold winters.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes cultivated as a fruit crop[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeastern N. America - Louisiana to Georgia and Florida

Habitat

Low flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, oak-scrub, palmetto scrubs and swales; at elevations up to 30 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Vaccinium darrowi is native to the warm temperate and subtropical regions of southeastern N. America, and does not grow well outside the warmer regions of the temperate zone.
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[, ]. Prefers 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[].
It is sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit in N. America, there are some named varieties[]. These have been recommended for dry, sandy, upland soils[]. It hybridizes with V. Ashei[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. The light blue berries are 8 - 10mm 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[].