Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Common Names

Lingonberry, Cowberry, Mountain Cranberry, Lowbush Cranberry, Northern Mountain Cranberry, Foxberry, Partridgeberry

Summary

Lingonberry is an evergreen ground-cover shrub with a creeping habit that forms dense mats, reaching about 6–12 inches tall and spreading by underground rhizomes; leaves are glossy dark green; spring blooms are small, bell-shaped flowers white to pale pink; berries are bright red, edible and tart, ripening in late summer to autumn; native to boreal forests and Arctic tundra across the Northern Hemisphere and hardy in USDA zones 2–7.

For cultivation, it prefers sunny to partial shade with acidic, well-drained soil kept evenly moist, and benefits from peat moss mulch to maintain acidity; it propagates by seed, cuttings, or division and spreads via underground runners to form mats; commonly used as a low-maintenance evergreen ground cover and for edible berries that can be used in jams, sauces, and preserves, with wildlife value as a food source.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-20 inches

Spread

1-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-7

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Acidic, moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter, often peaty loams; pH 4.5–5.5.

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained, acidic soil

Soil pH

4.5-5.5 (acidic)

Bloom Color

White to pink

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color, evergreen leaves remain green year-round

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division, Meristem propagation, Underground rhizomes

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, other pollinators, and birds