Vaccinium ovalifolium aka Early Blueberry

Vaccinium ovalifolium is a shrub that sheds its leaves. Its common names include oval-leaved bilberry and tall bilberry. It belongs to the heath family, Ericaceae. Its native range spans the Russian Far East and Japan. It also grows across subarctic North America into the northern United States. Wild plants grow in thickets, open woods, and peaty slopes. These habitats lie within cool, temperate parts of its range.

The shrub has an upright, slim form with spreading branches. Reported heights range from 6–10 feet [1.8–3 metres]. Young twigs may be brown, red, or yellowish. Grooves and angles can make them look almost winged. Older branches turn gray. The bark starts reddish brown, then grays and flakes off. Oval leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stems. Each leaf has a blunt, rounded tip and base. Most leaf edges lack teeth. The upper surface is green, with a paler underside.

Small pink flowers hang alone from the leaf axils. Their rounded bells may look like urns or eggs. They appear before the leaves or as leaves emerge. Plants For A Future lists June as the flowering month. Each flower has both male and female parts. Insects pollinate the flowers. Round berries ripen toward the end of summer. Their skin is blue-black beneath a dusty blue coating. The berries grow singly rather than in bunches. Their width is roughly a quarter to two-fifths of an inch.

Grow this shrub in moist soil that drains well. Sandy soil and light loam suit it. Leaf mould can help provide the rich soil it prefers. It needs acid soil, with a preferred pH of 4.5–6. Lime can cause its leaves to become chlorotic. It grows in sun or light shade. A sunny site gives better fruit crops. Shelter it from strong winds and avoid disturbing its roots. It suits woodland gardens, sunny edges, and dappled shade. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 3–7.

The fruit is edible fresh, cooked, or dried for storage. It tastes sweet with a mild acid edge. It also provides some vitamin C. Plants For A Future reports no known hazards. That source records medicinal uses, including a leaf infusion after childbirth. These records do not establish safe or effective medical use. Seed, layering, and cuttings offer ways to raise new plants. Half-ripe cuttings can be slow and hard to root.