Lingonberry Plant (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)

Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Lingonberry) is a versatile and beneficial plant, offering year-round visual interest, culinary value, and ecological benefits, making it a favored choice in colder climates worldwide.

I. Appearance and Characteristics 

Vaccinium vitis-idaea, the lingonberry, partridgeberry, foxberry, mountain cranberry or cowberry, is a small evergreen shrub in the heath family Ericaceae. It is native to boreal forest and Arctic tundra throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including Eurasia and North America. Commercially cultivated in the United States Pacific Northwest and the Netherlands, the edible berries are also picked in the wild and used in various dishes, especially in Nordic cuisine.

Vaccinium vitis-idaea spreads by underground stems to form dense clonal colonies. Slender and brittle roots grow from the underground stems. The stems are rounded in cross-section and grow from 10 to 40 cm (4 to 16 in) in height. Leaves grow alternately and are oval, 5–30 mm (1⁄4–1+1⁄8 in) long, with a slightly wavy margin, and sometimes with a notched tip.

The flowers are bell-shaped, white to pale pink, 3–8 mm (1⁄8–3⁄8 in) long, and produced in the early summer. V. vitis-idaea begins to produce flowers from five to ten years of age. They are pollinated by multiple insect species, including Andrena lapponica and several species of bumblebee.

The fruit is a red berry 6–10 mm (1⁄4–3⁄8 in) across, with an acidic taste, ripening in late summer to autumn. While bitter early in the season, they sweeten if left on the branch through winter. Cytology is 2n = 24.

Vaccinium vitis-idaea differs from the related cranberries in having white flowers with petals partially enclosing the stamens and stigma, rather than pink flowers with petals reflexed backwards, and rounder, less pear-shaped berries.

Hybrids between Vaccinium vitis-idaea and V. myrtillus, named Vaccinium × intermedium Ruthe, are occasionally found in Europe.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Lingonberry thrives best in full sunlight conditions where it receives ample light intensity, contributing to its robust growth and fruit production. This plant can, however, tolerate partial sun exposure, which may be advantageous in regions with more intense midday sun, preventing potential overexposure. Adapting to varying light levels, lingonberry might exhibit physiological changes to optimize photosynthesis and reduce evapotranspiration. In outdoor settings, lingonberry should be planted in areas that receive consistent direct light for the majority of the day, avoiding overly shaded locales to maintain its health and productivity.

Temperature

Lingonberry demonstrates impressive adaptability to temperature variations, tolerating cold extremes down to -35℃ (-31℉) and heat up to 35℃ (95℉). This robust cold tolerance demands minimal winter protection but mandates caution during heatwaves. Symptoms of cold damage include leaf bronzing, while overheating can cause leaf scorch and wilting. To safeguard lingonberry, use insulating covers against severe cold and provide shade and consistent watering during extreme heat. Its wide temperature tolerance makes it suitable for various climates, though monitoring for stress symptoms is crucial for optimal care.

Watering

Originating from the cool temperate regions, lingonberry thrives in moist yet well-drained soils, emulating its natural habitat where it experiences consistent moisture without waterlogging. Its water habits are marked by a preference for evenly moist conditions, indicative of its resilience to sporadic dry spells but not prolonged droughts. For optimal growth, lingonberry should be watered once every 1-2 weeks, ensuring the soil remains hydrated but not saturated. As an evergreen plant commonly grown outdoors, lingonberry’s waxy leaves play a crucial role in minimizing water loss, making it well-adapted to environments with fluctuating temperatures and varying levels of precipitation.

Soil

In its natural habitat, lingonberry thrives in acidic soils with a pH range of 4.0-5.5. These soils are typically a mix of loam, sand, and organic matter, contributing to good aeration and drainage. For optimal growth, use a soil mix of 40% peat moss, 30% pine bark, 20% perlite, and 10% garden soil, aiming for a light, well-draining consistency. Ensure excellent drainage to prevent water-logging. Enhance with an acid fertilizer or sulfur amendments, if necessary, applied in spring and fall to maintain acidity and support nutrient absorption.

Fertilizing

Fertilize lingonberry with a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in early spring to kickstart growth. From spring to mid-summer, apply a high nitrogen fertilizer monthly to enhance fruiting. Limit to 1 tablespoon per plant, ensuring thorough dilution to prevent root burn. In late summer, cease fertilization to allow lingonberry to prepare for dormancy. Adjust for plant age; mature lingonberry require less frequent fertilization. Always water soil before applying to aid absorption and prevent shock.

Planting Instructions

Plant lingonberries in the spring or early fall. Space plants about 12 inches apart (30 cm) in rows spaced 3 to 4 feet apart (90-120 cm). Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, and mix peat moss or pine needles into the soil to enhance acidity and improve drainage.

Pruning

Lingonberry, known for its small, evergreen leaves and bright red berries, benefits from pruning in early to late winter. Remove dead or diseased wood to promote healthier growth. Thin out crowded branches to improve air circulation. Trimming helps maintain its compact shape and encourages fruit production. Proper pruning enhances the plant’s resilience against pests and diseases, ensuring a bountiful and healthy yield.

Propagation

A native to the Arctic tundra and boreal forest, lingonberry is well-adapted for propagation via division. To propagate lingonberry, separate the underground runners with care, ensuring that each new section has roots attached. Transplant the divisions into moist, acidic soil rich in organic matter, mimicking lingonberry’s natural environment for optimal growth. Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging and provide dappled shade, as full sun can stress the plants. This approach to propagation is practical and achieves success with relative ease for gardeners.

Transplanting

The perfect time to transplant lingonberry is the season of renewal and awakening – often hailed as spring. This period offers mild temperatures and ample rainfall, which encourage root development in their new location. Choose a spot with acidic soil and partial shade, and if needed, add peat moss for better moisture retention and soil structure. Embrace a gentle hand and thoughtful pacing when moving lingonberry, to ensure a successful transition.

III. Uses and Benefits 

• Ornamental uses

The plant is also popular in landscaping for ground cover, in rock gardens, and in borders due to its attractive and durable nature.

• Medicinal uses

In traditional medicine, V. vitis-idaea was used as an apéritif and astringent. The Upper Tanana ate the berries or used their juice to treat minor respiratory disorders.

• Culinary uses

Raw lingonberries are 86% water, 13% carbohydrates, 1% protein, and contain negligible fat. In a 100-gram (3.5-ounce) reference amount, lingonberries supply 54 kcal, and are low-to-moderate sources of vitamin C, B vitamins, and dietary minerals.

The berries collected in the wild are a popular fruit in northern, central and eastern Europe, notably in the Nordic countries, the Baltic states, central and northern Europe. In some areas, they can be picked legally on both public and private lands in accordance with the freedom to roam.

The berries are quite tart, so they are often cooked and sweetened before eating in the form of lingonberry jam, compote, juice, smoothie or syrup. The raw fruits are also frequently simply mashed with sugar, which preserves most of their nutrients and taste. This mix can be stored at room temperature in closed but not necessarily sealed containers, but in this condition, they are best preserved frozen. Fruit served this way or as compote often accompanies game and liver dishes.

In Sweden the traditional Swedish meatballs are served with lingonberry jam alongside boiled or mashed potatoes and gravy sauce. In Sweden, Finland and Norway, reindeer and elk steaks are traditionally served with gravy and lingonberry sauce. Preserved fruit is commonly eaten with meatballs, as well as potato pancakes. A traditional Swedish dessert is lingonpäron (literally ‘lingonberry pears’), consisting of fresh pears which are peeled, boiled and preserved in lingondricka (lingonberry juice) and is commonly eaten during Christmas. This was very common in old times, because it was an easy and tasty way to preserve pears. In Sweden and Russia, when sugar was still a luxury item, the berries were usually preserved simply by putting them whole into bottles of water. This was known as vattlingon (watered lingonberries); the procedure preserved them until next season. This was also a home remedy against scurvy.

This traditional Russian soft drink, known as “lingonberry water”, is mentioned by Alexander Pushkin in Eugene Onegin. In Russian folk medicine, lingonberry water was used as a mild laxative. A traditional Finnish dish is sautéed reindeer (poronkäristys) with mashed potatoes and lingonberries on the side, either raw, thawed or as a jam. In Finland, whipped semolina pudding flavored with lingonberry (puolukkapuuro) is also popular. In Poland, the berries are often mixed with pears to create a sauce served with poultry or game. The berries can also be used to replace redcurrants when creating Cumberland sauce.

The berries are also popular as a wild picked fruit in Eastern Canada, for example in Newfoundland and Labrador and Cape Breton, where they are locally known as partridgeberries or redberries, and on the mainland of Nova Scotia, where they are known as foxberries. In this region they are incorporated into jams, syrups, and baked goods, such as pies, scones, and muffins.

In Sweden lingonberries are often sold as jam and juice, and as a key ingredient in dishes. They are used to make Lillehammer berry liqueur; and, in East European countries, lingonberry vodka is sold, and vodka with lingonberry juice or mors is a cocktail.

The berries are an important food for bears and foxes, and many fruit-eating birds. Caterpillars of the case-bearer moths Coleophora glitzella, Coleophora idaeella and Coleophora vitisella are obligate feeders on V. vitis-idaea leaves.

• Other uses

The Nihithawak Cree use the berries of the minus subspecies to color porcupine quills, and put the firm, ripe berries on a string to wear as a necklace. The Western Canadian Inuit use the minus subspecies as a tobacco additive or substitute.

IV. Harvesting and Storage

The lingonberry fruiting period can last for several weeks. Fruit ripens when its surface turns bluish black. Due to inconsistent ripening of fruits, they should be harvested in batches. Harvest once every 2 or 3 days in full fruit period, and once every 3 or 4 days in both the initial and final fruit period, completing your harvest before the frost.

Gloves (finger sleeves) should be worn when picking fruits to avoid damaging them, which would affect their appearance and storage potential. When picking ripe fruits, gently hold the berries and tweak them clockwise to keep the peel intact. This will also help to prolong their storage period.