Bring the taste of Europe’s forests to your backyard with the Common Bilberry, also known as the European Blueberry. This compact, deciduous shrub produces deep blue, sweet-tart berries prized for their rich flavor and high antioxidant content. Perfect for fresh eating, baking, or preserves, bilberries are a nutrient-dense addition to any home garden.
Native to Northern and Central Europe, Bilberry plants thrive in cool climates and acidic, well-drained soils. Their delicate pinkish-white flowers bloom in spring, followed by small, dark blue fruits in summer. These hardy, non-GMO seeds produce shrubs that are ideal for edible landscaping, borders, or container growing.
Features
- 🫐 Delicious European Blueberries: Produces small, sweet-tart berries rich in flavor and antioxidants.
- 🌿 Compact Shrub: Perfect for gardens, edible landscapes, or container growing.
- ❄️ Cold-Hardy Variety: Grows well in northern climates and tolerates frost.
- 🌸 Ornamental Appeal: Pinkish-white spring blooms attract pollinators.
- 🌱 Non-GMO Seeds: Naturally sourced and untreated for healthy growth.
- 🍰 Culinary Uses: Ideal for jams, pies, juices, and fresh snacking.
Specifications
- Common Name: Common Bilberry / European Blueberry
- Scientific Name: Vaccinium myrtillus
- Plant Type: Deciduous fruit shrub
- Zones: USDA 3–7
- Growth Habit: Low-growing, spreading
- Height: 8–18 inches
- Spread: 1–2 feet
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Acidic, well-drained sandy or loamy soil
- Soil pH: 4.5–5.5
- Watering: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture
- Temperature Range: 45–75°F (7–24°C)
- Days to Germination: 30–90 days (requires cold stratification)
- Maturity: 2–3 years to fruit production
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Harvest Season: Summer
- Pollination: Self-fertile but benefits from cross-pollination
- GMO Status: 100% Non-GMO
- Uses: Edible fruits, medicinal use, ornamental planting
Planting Guide
- Cold Stratification: Mix seeds with damp peat moss and refrigerate for 60–90 days before planting.
- Prepare Soil: Use acidic, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter.
- Sow Seeds: Sprinkle seeds on soil surface; lightly cover with peat or fine sand.
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Light: Provide full sun to partial shade.
- Germination: Expect sprouts within 1–3 months.
- Transplanting: Move seedlings outdoors after last frost, spacing 18–24 inches apart.
- Mulching: Add pine needles or peat mulch to retain acidity and moisture.
- Fertilization: Use fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants (like blueberries).
- Harvest: Collect ripe berries in mid to late summer when dark blue and easily detach.
Care Tips
- Maintain acidic soil using organic mulches such as pine needles or peat.
- Avoid overwatering; ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
- Prune old stems in late winter to encourage new growth.
- Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting.
- Companion plant with blueberries or cranberries for visual appeal and soil compatibility.