Bilberry / Whortleberry (Vaccinium myrtillus): Wild European Blueberry for Acidic Woodlands

Overview

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), also called whortleberry, whinberry, or European blueberry, is a low, deciduous shrub native to acidic heaths, woods, and moorlands of Europe and northern Asia. It grows 12-18 inches tall with small, oval, toothed leaves and produces solitary, dark blue, juicy berries (not clustered like cultivated blueberries) in mid-summer. High in anthocyanins.

Botanical Details

• Family: Ericaceae (heath family)
• Genus: Vaccinium
• Species: myrtillus

Culture & Uses

Requires acidic (pH 4.5-5.5), moist, well-drained, peaty soil in part shade. Difficult to cultivate; best in naturalistic settings. Berries eaten fresh, in jams, pies, juices; medicinally for vision, circulation. Leaves used for tea. Wildlife food. Hardy in USDA zones 3-7.