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Seeds - Canada Blueberry
Seeds - Canada Blueberry
Seeds - Canada Blueberry
Seeds - Canada Blueberry
On sale

Seeds - Canada Blueberry

Vaccinium myrtilloides

$0.00
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Origine : Non spécifiée


Catégories: arbuste, comestible, indigène, nectarifère, nouveauté, vivace,

Aire de répartition indigène: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PE, NS, NL,

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Available soon!

For successful seedlings,
see the growing notes at the bottom of the page!

Canada blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides), also known as velvet-leaved blueberry, sourtop blueberry, or velvetleaf huckleberry, is a low, spreading shrub of the heath family, usually 20 to 60 cm tall. Its slender branches bear alternate leaves, oval to lance-shaped, pale green to bluish, and finely toothed. The flowers are urn-shaped, whitish to pinkish, clustered in the leaf axils, and appear in spring. The fruits are small bluish-black berries covered with a waxy bloom, ripening in summer. The species often forms colonies in poor, sandy, acidic, and well-drained soils, such as pine forests and clearings in Quebec. It also tolerates rocky soils and open habitats exposed to natural disturbances such as forest fires, making it a pioneer species.


Medicinal and culinary uses
The fruits are edible and highly valued, eaten fresh, dried, or used in the preparation of jams, pies, syrups, and jellies. They are rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Ecological roles
Canada blueberry plays an important role in Quebec's northern ecosystems. Its nectar-bearing flowers provide food for bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and hoverflies in spring. The berries are an essential food resource for birds, small mammals, and black bears. The plant also contributes to the stabilization of poor soils and to the regeneration of open habitats after fire, quickly colonizing them through its spreading rhizomes.

 

Canada blueberry seeds require scarification and cold stratification to ensure germination. See the cultivation notes below for more details.

Akène cannot assume any responsibility for the use of plants for therapeutic purposes. Always seek advice from a professional before using a medicinal or edible plant.

Growing Notes | Seeds - Canada Blueberry

Canada blueberry seeds require scarification by soaking, followed by an optional period of cold moist stratification of 60 to 90 days, which increases the naturally low germination rate of the species.

Scarification: Soak the seeds for 24 hours in room-temperature water.

Stratification: Mix the seeds with three parts moistened vermiculite, then place this mixture in a sealed bag and keep it in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days. This step can be carried out naturally by outdoor sowing in the fall.

Broadcast sow the seeds, then cover them very lightly, less than one millimetre below the soil surface. Germination is slow and usually takes 30 to 90 days, sometimes longer.

Canada blueberry prefers acidic, sandy, or gravelly soils that are well-drained and low in organic matter. It grows well in open habitats, in full sun or partial shade, and tolerates disturbances such as fire, which promote its regeneration.

For maintenance, it is recommended to keep the soil slightly moist but not waterlogged, especially during the germination period. An acidic organic mulch (such as pine needles) helps to retain moisture and maintain a favourable pH. Growth is slow, and it may take several years before vigorous and fruit-bearing plants are obtained.

Seeds per packet: 15

Family: Ericaceae

Scientific name: Vaccinium myrtilloides

Life cycle: Perennial

Hardiness zone: 2

Soil type: Sandy to loamy, rocky

Soil moisture level: Dry to humid

Soil - additional attributes: Acidic, well-drained, humusy

Light: Sun, part shade

Blooming: May to June

Spacing: 50 cm

Height: 50 cm

Deer resistance: Low

Stratification: 60 to 90 days (optional)

Scarification: Soaking for 24 hours

Germination time: 30 to 90 days, sometimes more

Sowing depth: Surface