Vaccinium oxycoccos
bog cranberry
Boreal and cool temperate Northern Hemisphere
Overview
Vaccinium oxycoccos is a creeping, evergreen dwarf shrub in the Ericaceae, with thread-like wiry stems that trail across wet peat and root as they spread, rarely rising more than 2 inches (5 cm) above the surface. The small leathery leaves, 0.2–0.4 inch (5–10 mm) long, are dark green above and whitish beneath, with edges rolled under. Nodding pink flowers, about 0.4 inch (10 mm) across, have four strongly reflexed petals and a forward-pointing cone of stamens, opening from June to July on slender upright stalks. Each flower develops into a rounded to pear-shaped red berry, 0.2–0.4 inch (6–10 mm) wide, that ripens in autumn and is tart and edible. It grows in sphagnum bogs, wet heath, and acidic mires across the cool temperate and boreal Northern Hemisphere. The plant needs permanently moist, strongly acidic peat and full light, and it declines in dry, limy, or shaded ground. Its low creeping growth is easily smothered by taller bog plants.
Native Range
Native across the cool temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including northern Europe, Asia, and North America. It grows in sphagnum bogs, wet heath, and acidic mires.Suggested Uses
Grown in bog gardens, peat beds, and acidic container plantings, and as a low evergreen groundcover on wet, acidic ground. The tart berries are gathered for sauces, preserves, and juices.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 4"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Nodding pink flowers open from June to July on slender upright stalks. Each lasts several days, and the red berries ripen slowly through autumn, often persisting into winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to light shade on permanently moist, strongly acidic peat or sphagnum. Water needs are high, and the plant is watered with rainwater rather than hard tap water, which raises the pH. It is propagated from creeping stem cuttings or by layering the rooting runners. Added lime or fertiliser harms the roots, so peat-based, low-nutrient media are used. It withstands hard winter frost while evergreen. It is hardy to roughly USDA zone 2.Pruning
No regular pruning is needed for this low creeping shrub. Overlong runners can be trimmed to keep plantings compact. Old, woody growth can be thinned to encourage fresh rooting stems.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons