Vaccinium hirsutum aka Woolly Berry

Vaccinium hirsutum is a deciduous shrub in the heath family, Ericaceae. Kew lists its growth form as a subshrub. Common names include hairy huckleberry, hairy-fruited blueberry, and woolly berry. It comes from the east-central United States, where it grows in open woods. Its range includes northern Georgia, western North Carolina, and Tennessee. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This shrub can spread through suckers when grown in moist soil. That growth helps it form a patch where conditions suit it. It flowers from May to June. Each flower has both male and female parts, and insects provide pollination. The plant cannot fertilize itself. Grow at least two plants from different sources to obtain seed. Its fruit measures about 0.02 feet [0.006 metres] across. Reports differ on its taste. Some describe sweet, pleasant fruit; others find it bland and gritty. The fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked.

Choose moist soil that lets excess water drain away. Sandy and loamy soils suit this plant. It prefers soil rich in peat or loam improved with leaf mould. The soil must be free of lime. A pH between 4.5 and 6 suits its needs. Lime can cause chlorosis, which makes the leaves lose their green colour. Full sun and light shade both work, but sun improves fruiting. Give the plant shelter from strong winds. Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 5–9.

A sunny woodland edge or a site with dappled shade suits this species. Its fruit gives it a place in an edible woodland garden. Avoid moving established plants, since their roots dislike disturbance. Keep young plants in pots until their final site is ready. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after frost risk passes. Plants For A Future reports no known hazards. It lists no medicinal or other uses beyond food.

Seed, cuttings, and layering offer ways to raise more plants. Sow seed with a thin covering in lime-free compost under glass. Stored seed may need up to three months of cold treatment. Keep seedlings lightly shaded and sheltered through their first winter. Half-ripe cuttings taken in August can root, but progress is slow and difficult. Layering is another option in late summer or early autumn.