Vaccinium nummularia

Vaccinium nummularia is a small evergreen shrub in the Ericaceae family. Its native range runs from the Himalaya to northwestern Yunnan, China. Records also place it in Bhutan, Nepal, India, and northern Myanmar. It grows on rocks, in mountain woods, and in slope thickets. It can also grow as an epiphyte on forest trees. Some records reach elevations of 13,123 feet [4,000 metres].

This compact shrub stays low and has a bushy form. The RHS describes plants around 0.7 feet [0.2 metres] tall. Its listed garden height range is 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. The spread falls within the same range. Plants take 10–20 years to reach their full size. Thin shoots bear bristles and small, dark green leaves. The leaves have a wrinkled surface and remain through winter. These traits give the plant a dense, leafy look year-round.

Small flowers open in early summer at the shoot tips. They form short racemes, or clusters along a central stalk. Each flower has a bell shape and white to pink colouring. Round black berries follow the flowers. The fruit measures about 0.02 feet [0.006 metres] across. People can eat the berries fresh or cook them. Plants For A Future gives their edible value two out of five. It lists no known hazards and no known medicinal uses. That hazard record does not establish safety for every use.

Grow this shrub in partial shade with shelter from exposure. It needs acid soil that holds moisture but drains well. The RHS lists both sandy and loamy soils as suitable. Pots and raised beds offer other ways to grow it. Use ericaceous compost for these forms of planting. The RHS assigns it an H4 hardiness rating. This covers winter lows of roughly −10 to −5°C under UK conditions. It suits rock gardens, courtyards, patios, and woodland edges. Its low growth also provides ground cover on banks.

The RHS describes this species as largely free of pests. Diseases can still include powdery mildew and root rot. Honey fungus is another risk, though the RHS calls it rare. Iron and manganese shortages can cause chlorosis, which yellows the leaves. Plants For A Future does not flag it as weedy. Growers can raise new plants from seed. Semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer provide another means of propagation.