There was a conversation a little while ago about bilberry plants, did anyone find either the berries to buy or the plants. I love them, I grow blueberries bit not for pies, I like those fresh but bilberry pies are another thing completely
I bought two tiny plants several years ago from Larch nurseries. This summer one has turned brown and died but the other is doing well though not yet producing flowers or fruit.
Thank you for the responses, I will have a look, however it doesn't sound too promising for much fruit.glad I was able to stop the birds in time bob the gardener. I know they grow on the moors so maybe it depends where you live as to the amount of berries you get, I am in the south and they grow best in north Yorkshire.Any other news is welcome.
You got to bear in mind that Blueberries and other garden fruit have been subject to breeding, hybridisation to select heavy fruiting plants. Your Whinberries will simply be wild plants without those factors inbred. Best of luck with them.
my dogs both eat bilberries (along with me) when walking on the North York Moors, a few years ago I discovered several bilberry plants popping up at the back of one of my borders.
This obviously confused me, until I learned that my brother (who had been dog sitting) had simply thrown the dock muck produced by my dogs on the border instead of in the bin! after a swift telling off he now knows what to do with it. On the plus side I now have bilberries growing among my azaleas and heathers!
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I bought two tiny plants several years ago from Larch nurseries. This summer one has turned brown and died but the other is doing well though not yet producing flowers or fruit.
The RHS Plant Finder lists 15 suppliers - http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Nurseries-Search-Result?query=18701&name=%3Ci%3EVaccinium%20myrtillus%3C/i%3E
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
I got some a couple of years ago from Mr Fothergills - also small but cheap. I'll check on them now it's stopped raining and report back.
Here we go - a 2 year old bilberry planted in 50/50 JI no3 & ericaceous compost in a 50cm pot. Not much fruit, but fruit nonetheless!
Good job you mentioned bilberries Bunty otherwise I'm sure the birds would have had these! They're now in my pudding for later - Yum!
Photo won't upload - will try again..
Here it is!
Thank you for the responses, I will have a look, however it doesn't sound too promising for much fruit.glad I was able to stop the birds in time bob the gardener. I know they grow on the moors so maybe it depends where you live as to the amount of berries you get, I am in the south and they grow best in north Yorkshire.Any other news is welcome.
Bunty
You got to bear in mind that Blueberries and other garden fruit have been subject to breeding, hybridisation to select heavy fruiting plants. Your Whinberries will simply be wild plants without those factors inbred. Best of luck with them.
my dogs both eat bilberries (along with me) when walking on the North York Moors, a few years ago I discovered several bilberry plants popping up at the back of one of my borders.
This obviously confused me, until I learned that my brother (who had been dog sitting) had simply thrown the dock muck produced by my dogs on the border instead of in the bin! after a swift telling off he now knows what to do with it. On the plus side I now have bilberries growing among my azaleas and heathers!
You'll be getting grouse moving in any day now Treehugger!
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I wish, grouse are really very tasty!