Habitat

• native to the northeastern United States
• zone 2

Habit and Form

• a deciduous, twiggy shrub
• open, leggy crown
• 6" to 2' tall
• 2' wide
• medium texture
• moderate growth rate

Summer Foliage

• alternate leaf arrangement
• simple, deciduous shape
• lanceolate leaf shape
• 0.33" to .75" long
• serrulate leaf margins
• dark green leaf color

Autumn Foliage

• reddish, bronze fall color
• showy

Flowers

• white flowers
• 0.25" diameter
• blooms in May
• showy

Fruit

• bluish-black fruit
• sweet and edible
• up to 0.5" across
• matures in mid- to late-summer

Bark

• reddish stems

Culture

• ideal soil is moist, high in organic matter and well-drained
• pH must be very acidic (4.5 to 5.5)
• mulch around the roots
• sandy soils with adequate moisture support good growth
• full sun to partial shade
• more sun translates into more into more blooms, more fruit and enhanced fall foliage color

Landscape Use

• for edible fruit
• to attract wildlife
• excellent for fall color
• useful in a shrub border
• naturalized plantings

Liabilities

• iron chlorosis on high pH soils

ID Features

• alternate leaf arrangement
• small urn-shaped flowers in May
• blue-black fruits in summer
• red fall color

Propagation

• by seed
• by cuttings

Cultivars/Varieties

This plant is an important managed wild fruit crop in northern New England. It also has ornamental merit, but few selections have been made for any purpose. Listed below are several cultivars that are only limitedly available.

'Burgundy', 'Claret' and 'Jonesboro' - These are selected University of Maine forms notable for good red fall color. They grow low, under 12" tall.

'Cumberland' and 'Fundy' - This pair of cultivars was released by the Canadian Government for their high quality, large fruit that have a sweet flavor.

'North Country' - This plant grows 2' tall with sweet, mild fruit and brilliant red fall color.

'Northsky' - A handsome selection with lustrous leaves that turn red in fall, this 18" tall plant bears small, blue, flavorful fruit.

'Pretty Yellow', 'Spring' and 'Verde' - Selections out of the University of Maine, this trio grows under 12" tall and bear yellowish fall color.

'Tophat' - This is a popular selection that bears fruit without a pollinator and grows to a height under 2'. It is suitable for containers and small gardens.