Intro
Lingonberries are an easy-care evergreen berry producing dwarf shrub which can slowly spread to fill out as a low groundcover type shrub or a mini hedge. Lingonberry plants produce small red berries with a tart flavour and all of the anti-oxidant, and infection fighting benefits of cranberries.
History
The Lingonberry is native to much of the Northern Hemisphere and is found throughout both the Taiga and the Tundra of the Arctic. The berries are an important staple for many first peoples and are very popular accompaniments to many Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian meals!
Planting
Lingonberries are in the Ericaceae family, the same family as heather, so appreciate the same type of planting spaces. They will produce a lot of berries in a full to part sun position, with a loamy, consistently moist (but not heavy wet) acidic soil. They would actually work wonderfully interspaced between blueberry bushes. They are extremely hardy once they find their ideal growing conditions and can withstand zone 3 conditions!
Container
Lingonberries can be grown in low and wide, well draining containers in part sun. Make sure your plants do not get too dry in their pots and glazed or plastic pots are better than porous clay in holding in moisture. They are very pretty and look fantastic in groupings. The berries are produced over a long time period and are often held throughout the winter.
Pruning
Not really needed. If you are growing as a low hedge, you may need to use a sharp spade to keep them growing between the lines as they do spread slowly through underground stems.
Pollination
The small bell-shaped flowers are well loved by many native bees and other pollinators. The plants are self fruitful, however crops can be increased with multiple varieties. Small native pollinators help to move the pollen.