Blue Ridge Blueberry
Vaccinium pallidum
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Fritzflohrreynolds
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Vaccinium
- Species:
- Vaccinium pallidum
- USDA Symbol:
- VAPA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acleris curvalana, Acronicta impleta, Ashen Pinion (Lithophane antennata), blueberry leaftier (Pseudexentera vaccinii), Caloptilia vacciniella, Canadian Melanolophia (Melanolophia canadaria), Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), Cosmia calami, Dasychira obliquata, Dichomeris vacciniella, Distinct Lichen Moth (Achatia distincta), Egira alternans, Eupithecia matheri?, Eupsilia sp., fall cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria), Filatima sp., Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), Formosa Moth (Chrysanympha formosa), fruit-tree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), Garman Quaker (Orthosia garmani), graceful underwing (Catocala gracilis), Hickory Tussock Moth (Anacamptodes humaria), Himella fidelis, Huckleberry sphinx (Paonias astylus), Large Lace-border (Scopula limboundata), Merolonche dolli, Morrisonia evicta, Mottled Eubaphe (Eubaphe mendica), mottled gray carpet moth (Cladara limitaria), Neotelphusa praefixa, oak sparganothis moth (Sparganothis directana), Obliquebanded leafroller (Choristoneura rosaceana), Olethreutes appendiceum, Olethreutes lacunana, one-lined sparganothis moth (Sparganothis unifasciana), Pangrapta decoralis, purplish leafroller moth (Olethreutes permundana), reticulated sparganothis moth (Sparganothis reticulatana), Ruby Quaker (Orthosia rubescens), Sidus sallow (Eupsilia sidus), Slender clearwing (Hemaris gracilis), stained-back leafroller (Acleris maculidorsana), Stigmella corylifoliella, sulphur moth (Hesperumia sulphuraria), sweetfern geometer (Cyclophora pendulinaria), three-lined leafroller (Pandemis limitata), tritona dagger moth (Acronicta tritona), Xystopeplus rufago, yellow-based tussock moth (Dasychira basiflava), Brown Elfin (Incisalia augustinus), Henry's Elfin (Incisalia henrici), Interior Sulphur (Colias interior)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Stigmella corylifoliella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, bees, butterflies
- Fall Color:
- red, purple
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes following fire. Benefits from periodic burning which reduces competition.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.0 - 5.5 (acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Thrives in open, dry woodlands and rocky areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Best sown on surface of acidic peat-based medium.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Notes: Seeds may require light for germination.
Source: Claude AI