Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum), growing way up the mountain, next to a Lowbush Blueberry. Both bushes were about the same height, maybe 2 feet tall. The Lowbush Blueberry typically doesn’t grow any taller than 3 feet but I’m surprised to read that Deerberry bushes sometimes can grow to 15 feet tall. I’m going to have to look for more of these bushes. I’d love to see one that is much taller, even 10 feet tall would be fun.
Deerberry is native to Ontario Canada, the eastern and central United States, and parts of Mexico. It produces berries that ripen to a purplish-black in late summer into fall which are eaten by deer and other mammals, and birds. For us humans, the berries are edible but aren’t very palatable. That’s a bummer.
Oh well, I’ll enjoy seeing the flowers.
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4 responses to “Next To The Wild Blueberries”
Thanks for the deer berry story. I’m motivated to look for them now.
Steve
Hi Steve! Super to hear from you!!
I sure hope you’re able to find some Deer Berry! I was surprised to read how large it can get – 5 feet high, but can grow to be twice that tall! The few bushes that I’ve seen have been quite small in comparison to this suggestion.
Missed you this week. Hoping you are well enough to come to class this coming week.
Happy summer! And thanks BUNCHES for reading my posts!
Bren
And the fact that it’s native makes it all the more lovely!
A bit off topic, but I’ve started noticing fireflies a few days ago. Have you seen any yet?
Hi Diane!
Oh yes! Native plants certainly are the best! I can ignore that though, if the plant is something very special to me and doesn’t grow aggressively. I’m thinking as I type this, of Rose Campion, which my Mom had in her garden. I have seen mention of aggressive growth but I definitely don’t see that here. There are others that can be forgiven for not being native. I may mention some in my blog post tonight. Maybe!
And Fireflies. I have seen them out in the evenings but I am disappointed to think that there are fewer than I’m used to seeing. I’m hoping that is just my imagination. Hmmm. I wonder.
Diane, thanks so much for reading my posts!
Bren