Vaccinium angustifolium

Vaccinium angustifolium: Wild Lowbush Blueberry, Four-Season Colour

Vaccinium angustifolium is the classic lowbush blueberry, a compact native shrub that offers both beauty and a delicious summer harvest. Small, waxy, pink-tinged bell-shaped flowers appear in spring, followed by an abundance of juicy blueberries in summer. The glossy foliage shifts through the seasons, reddish-green in spring, bluish-green in summer, then finishing in bronzed scarlet and crimson tones in fall. Tucked into a sunny edge or naturalized bed, it brings a refined, wild charm that feels right at home in Canadian gardens.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 30–60 cm
• Spread: 30–60 cm
• Flower Colour: Pink-tinged, bell-shaped
• Flowering Period: Spring
• Foliage: Glossy; reddish-green in spring, bluish-green in summer, bronze scarlet/crimson in fall
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter

Uses and Benefits: Lowbush blueberry is ideal for naturalized plantings, edible landscapes, and sunny borders where you want a low, tidy shrub with real seasonal payoff. Use it as a small-scale groundcover in drifts, along the front of shrub beds, or in a native garden where it can knit plantings together. The spring flowers support pollinators, the summer berries are a backyard favourite, and the fall colour adds a rich finishing note that looks especially striking in mass.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun for the best fruiting and fall colour, though light shade is fine in hotter sites. Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged, and mulch with pine bark, shredded leaves, or wood chips to conserve moisture and help maintain soil acidity. Avoid high-pH soils and heavy clay that stays wet. Prune lightly in late winter or early spring by removing a few older stems to encourage fresh growth, and protect developing fruit from birds if you want the harvest for yourself.

History: A native species found across much of eastern and central Canada, Vaccinium angustifolium is the wild blueberry behind the famous “wild blueberry” flavour. It has long been valued for its edible fruit, wildlife benefits, and its ability to thrive in acidic soils, making it a natural fit for both naturalized landscapes and home gardens that want beauty with purpose.

Final Thoughts: Small but richly rewarding, lowbush blueberry brings spring bloom, summer berries, and a fiery fall finish, all in a compact native shrub that feels like a piece of the wild, made garden-ready.