Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Ericaceae family, native to Northern and mountain Europe and Asia. It grows 20–50 cm (8–20 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Bilberry in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Bilberry at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Mature height | 20–50 cm (8–20 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 4–5.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 25 °C (77 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: berries |
| Native to | Northern and mountain Europe and Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇸🇪 Sweden |
Is Bilberry toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not listed as toxic; fruit is edible.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bilberry
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Mountain laurel: Mountain laurel and rhododendrons are hosts of Phytophthora ramorum (sudden oak death), which spreads from infected foliage between neighbouring plants. Evidence B
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
See Bilberry in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (20 plants)
Questions about Bilberry
- How far apart should I plant Bilberry?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Bilberry need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bilberry need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Bilberry?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Bilberry flower?
- From about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Bilberry poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not listed as toxic; fruit is edible.
- What grows well with Bilberry?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bilberry. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
Notes and assumptions
- Slow to establish and needs acidic, humus-rich, cool and lightly shaded soil with its mycorrhizal fungi; hard to fruit in warm climates; chill roughly 1000 hours (estimate).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- American cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea
- Satsuki azalea Rhododendron indicum
- Japanese andromeda (pieris) Pieris japonica
- Heather (ling) Calluna vulgaris
- Mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia