Large cranberry / American cranberry

Plant family

Heidekrautgewächse (Ericaceae) (Ericaceae)

Synonyms

Bearberry

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Wet

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Seeding distance

20 cm

Row spacing

20 cm

Seeding depth

6 cm

Instructions

Description

The cranberry is also known as large-fruited cranberry or cranberry and, like the cranberry and blueberry, belongs to the heather family (Ericaceae). It is a good ground cover, as the plant forms tendrils and grows only 25 cm tall. It is accustomed to acidic forest soils. In taste it resembles cranberry and needs similar growing conditions. Very decorative with white-red flowers and red berries and evergreen leaves.

Growing tips

Relatively hardy cranberries are usually not susceptible to frost. Only in the event of early frosts in the fall or late frosts during budding, the plants are sensitive and therefore welcome a warm protection of fleece, riprap or similar materials. Cranberries are planted in the spring from March to May or in the fall from September to mid-October. However, before planting, the first thing to do is to prepare the soil. The soil of the entire area to be planted is dug to a depth of about 15 to 20 cm. This soil can then be used for other beds, such as raised beds. It must be replaced for the reason that it is not acidic enough. This 15 to 20 cm deep soil layer is now filled with a mixture of sand, rotted bark mulch or bark humus, rotted compost, needle litter and acidic rhododendron soil. Sand is added in a proportion of about 10 percent. Now it is time to plant. Then water well. Good storage in the refrigerator. The plant is self-pollinating, but several plants can still be beneficial. The berries are ripe when the flesh is also red in color. (From plantura.garden)