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wild blueberry or other berries

12 years ago

Part of my yard is left natural, with tall trees. Have read that wild blueberries can grow under "forest cover" with filtered light. Thinking of vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush blueberry). Has anyone grown wild blueberries from seed? This is not deep shade - right now mostly open space bewtween trees, and a couple dogwoods & azalias.

Already growing rabitteye & southern highbush in other parts of the yard. Hoping to keep birds more interested in the wild ones.

Comments (6)

martin3179
12 years ago
I have never heard of growing blueberries from seed, but you would think it could be done. I would guess the wild blueberries are distributed by bird droppings anyway.
fatamorgana2121
12 years ago
I agree - birds grow them by seed. I would personally look for sources like Raintree Nursery that sell wild blueberry plants, if you want wild blueberries.

FataMorgana
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I had them at last house in my all native yard. Limited results. I was lucky to keep them alive and I can't remember if I got any berries. There is a nature preserve near here that has A LOT of wild blueberries. They are growing in the SAND. I think I gave mine too much attention. I was checking these wild ones out earier this spring and many didn't flower or bear friut. The ones that bore fruit got a little shade. I was able to get a few ripe berries about a week ago...pretty good but small as you would expect. I'm VERY tempted to bring some of these wild ones home and try them again.
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budgiegarden
12 years ago
I collected some last month, cleaned them, and am attempting to grow them via wintersowing. We will see what happens.
carol23_gw
12 years ago
Here's a link

Here is a link that might be useful: blueberries from seed
kelp
12 years ago
Are you stuck on blueberries? Native huckleberries (Gaylussacia baccata, G. brachycera) can take more shade. Some of them look, and taste, similar to blueberries. Several other berrying shrubs also do well in partial shade, too: Winterberries, (they just won't get as big as those in sun) Mapleleaf Viburnum, Leatherwood (Dirca palustris), Red elderberry (Sambucus pubens), Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa), Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), and Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp), also edible. [St. Lawrence carries several shrub-sized ones.] I've always planted potted shrubs. Growing them from seed sounds like an interesting project. If you have luck with the blueberry seeds, let us know.
christie_sw_mo
12 years ago
I bought blueberries in the freezer case at Walmart that were labeled "Wild Blueberries". Since Carol's article says they need to be frozen for at least 90 days before sowing, maybe I should try some of those. Has anyone else bought those? Any guess as to what kind they are?

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