Vaccinium vitis-idaea 'RED PEARL' cowberry, lingonberry
size/type
low or groundcovering,low or groundcovering
usual height
0,3-0,4m
usual width
0,5-0,8m
leaves
evergreen broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
insignificant or non-blooming
location
full to partial sun
USDA zone (lowest)
2 (down to -45°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Cowberry or lingonberry is an evergreen shrub with delicious fruit. Though it is not considered a true cranberry in English speaking countries, in Central Europe this species is the one commonly used for cranberry preserves and typical sweet and sour tasting chutneys. Apart from fruit these small shrubs are highly valued for their ornamental features such as lush evergreen foliage and low, compact growth.
Description of the plant:
Red Pearl is a European variety of cowberry from the Netherlands. It produces small, glossy, red fruit for a long period of time - from late summer often until spring unless the berries get killed by hard frost. Red Pearl cowberry may look somewhat prostrate when young but soon it rises up like a Phoenix and makes an upright small bush reaching some 30-40 cm tall and a 80-90 cm wide in maturity (in plenty of years). Its evergreen leaves are leathery, broadly elliptic, small, and glossy. Urn-shaped flowers are white or light pink and appear in late spring and early summer, and are followed by spherical, bright red and glossy, edible fruit. It is known for successful healing of urinary tracts where bacteria causing the infection are surrounded by the cranberry substance and maneuvered out of the body without letting the bacteria cause any damage. The fruit is picked once it gains bright red colour in early autumn, or after the first frost if you are planning to make jams and preserves of it. If you want to make a 100% healthy product we suggest using only fructose or organic, natural cane sugar as opposed to white sugar which degrades any healthy food.
Lowbush cranberry forms a low, ground-covering, slow-growing shrub. It likes filtered sunlight or full sun and needs highly acidic, well-drained soil. Usage of organic fertilizers for ericaceous plants will enhance growth rate, branching, and obviously crop. Pruning is not usually required but may be done in late spring after flowering. Fully hardy to -45°C (USDA zone 2) and is suitable for outdoor pots.
Last update 23-11-2012
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