Lingonberry, Erntedank

Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Lingonberry are a low growing evergreen berry related to huckleberry, cranberry and blueberry. They produce abundant small red berries and grow very well in the Pacific Northwest. They are a staple of Scandinavian culture. The harvested berries can be frozen and used as needed without cooking, although lingonberry jam is a beloved condiment. The plants grow 6-12 inches tall and will spread over the ground slowly. They grow wild in northern areas of the United States, Canada and Scandinavia. Typically they produce fruit in the third season.

Erntedank lingonberry plants flower in late summer and yield tons of large and deep red berries with excellent firmness in October and November. This variety is disease resistant and was found growing wild in Germany. Plant at least 2 varieties for optimum pollination needed to obtain the largest fruits.

USDA Zone: 3-7

Pollination: Needs to be grown with a second variety to pollinate and produce berries.

Time to productivity: 3 years from planting, depending on conditions.

Ripening time: October-November

Size: 1′ tall, spreading.