Vaccinium smallii

Vaccinium smallii is a deciduous shrub in the heath family, Ericaceae. Kew places its native range from Sakhalin to Japan. Plants For A Future also lists Korea and the southern Kuril Islands. It grows in a temperate climate. In central and northern Japan, it grows in mountain thickets and sunny places. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

The shrub reaches about 5 feet [1.5 metres] in height. It loses its leaves for winter. The supplied sources give no further species-level leaf or bark details. Flowers appear in June and contain both male and female organs. Insects pollinate them. The fruit measures about a quarter-inch [6 millimetres] across. People can eat it fresh or cook it. Plants For A Future gives its food value one out of five.

Choose moist soil that lets excess water drain away. Sandy or loamy soil suits this shrub. It prefers soil rich in peat, or light loam with leaf mould. Keep the soil free of lime. A pH between 4.5 and 6 suits it best. Lime can cause chlorosis, which makes the leaves lose their green colour. The plant grows in full sun or light shade. A sunny spot gives better fruit crops. Shelter it from strong winds.

Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 5–9. It also gives a UK zone of 6. A sunny woodland edge is a suggested garden setting. Avoid disturbing the roots when moving or planting this shrub. Raise young plants in pots before placing them in their final site. The source reports no known hazards or medicinal uses. It lists no other uses and does not flag weed potential. These statements do not amount to a detailed safety assessment.

Seeds offer one way to raise new plants. Sow them under glass in a lime-free mix in late winter. Cover them with only a thin layer of mix. Stored seed may need up to three months of cold treatment. Keep seedlings in light shade under glass through their first winter. Plant them out after the last expected frost. Half-ripe cuttings taken in August offer another route, though rooting is slow and difficult. Layering in late summer or early autumn is also listed.