The Bilberry is a small shrub with edible fruit. They are similar in many ways to a blueberry, but the pulp of the bilberry is blue/purple/red, while blueberries have white pulp. Bilberries are also softer & juicier than blueberries.
The fruit can be eaten raw, dried for later, made into jams, or used in deserts just like you would a blueberry in pies, muffins, candies, etc. The plants provide wildlife habitat, & birds, squirrels, & other small critters will love to help you “harvest” the berries.
Name: Common Bilberry Other Common Names: Bilberry / European Blueberry / Blue Whortleberry Scientific Name: Vaccinium Myrtillus Syn. Vaccinium Oreophilum / Myrtillus Niger / Myrtillus Sylvaticus / Vitis-idaea Myrtillus Color: Pink Flowers / Dark Blue Fruit Plant Seeds: Outdoors After Frost / Fall / Cold Stratify / Indoors Weeks Before Last Frost Bloom Time: Flowers April - June Harvest: Fruits July - Sept Hardiness Zone: 2 - 7 Plant Height: 6 - 18" Plant Spacing: 12 - 18" Light Requirements: Sun - Part Shade Soil & Water Preferences: Average
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