Ericaceae - Botanical Family

The genus Rhododendron of around 800 species can be divided into four major subgenera. Many people are unaware that azaleas are rhododendrons. They have large leaves or elepidotes (without scales).

One of the most interesting varieties - Vivid Red Cherry Miniature Azalea - is a compact, evergreen beauty that brings a burst of color to your garden throughout the year. With clusters of rich, cherry-red ruffled blooms, this azalea creates a stunning display in spring and fall. It thrives in partial shade, making it perfect for planting beneath oak or pine trees, or along shady walkways and foundations. This semi-dwarf variety grows to 2-3 feet tall and wide, maintaining a neat, upright form that requires minimal trimming.

Best planted in well-drained, acidic soil with high organic matter content, it appreciates regular watering, especially in extreme heat. Fertilize on regular basis to promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms. Vivid Azalea is ideal for use as a low-growing hedge, accent, or screen, and its shallow, non-aggressive root system makes it a great choice for tight spaces. Its glossy, dark green foliage remains evergreen, offering year-round interest even when it's not in bloom.

Prune back in late spring to maintain its shape and encourage branching, leading to more blooms. This variety, sometimes known as Azalea Amagasa Vivid Red Flowering Satsuki Azalea, is one of our favorites for adding vibrant, multi-season color to any garden.

This semi- evergreen azalea cultivar from Japan is unusual for its very narrow leaves. The pink, fragrant flowers are likewise almost strap-like, and appear in terminal clusters of about three.

Rhododendron vaseyi is among the first and most beautiful spring-flowering native azaleas to bloom with masses of light pink bell-shaped flowers on leafless stems. It is endemic to North Carolina in the United States, where it is known only from the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Hardy to min. -25°C, perhaps a little more on protected sites.

'August Lamken' is a Williamsianum rhododendronwith bright pink, bell-shaped flowers with frilled margins produced mostly in late May. Its evergreen, rounded to ovate leaves are softer green than on hybrid rhododendrons.

Sphyrospermum sp. is a striking plant native to South America and Central America. It is a unique groundcover and low-growing plant with long pendant stems reaching up to 2ft in length. As it matures it can grow up to a maximum of 5ft tall with thumbnail sized leaves and small pea-sized blue fruits that appear once it has flowered.

In terms of growing Sphyrospermum in your garden there are a few things to bear in mind. It is tolerant of semi-shady conditions and does best with regular watering. However, it cannot withstand cold temperatures so if you live in a cooler area then potting is the way to go. In USDA plant hardiness zones 9-11 it grows particularly well, in a pot or in the ground, as long as it's in a sheltered spot and is protected from frost.

Sphyrospermum is also an ethnomedical plant, used by some South American tribes for a variety of treatments and remedies. The plant is mostly used in topical treatments, mixed with other ingredients such as aloe vera and natural oils.

Overall, Sphyrospermum is a unique, impressive and versatile plant that can be kept in the ground or in a pot depending on the climate. It is a low-maintenance plant that requires semi-shady areas and regular watering, but it is also an ethnomedical plant that offers a variety of treatments and remedies.

Vaccinium corymbosum, commonly known as Highbush Blueberry, is a deciduous fruiting shrub in the Ericaceae family, native to eastern North America. It typically grows 4-8 ft (1.2-2.4 m) tall, although size varies considerably among cultivars. Small white to pinkish, urn-shaped flowers appear in clusters in spring and develop into round berries that ripen from green through reddish stages to blue or blue-black with a characteristic waxy bloom. The sweet to pleasantly tart fruits are eaten fresh and widely used for preserves, baking, and freezing. Numerous cultivars have been selected for fruit size and flavor, ripening season, productivity, and adaptation to different climates.

Highbush Blueberry grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained, highly acidic soil, generally around pH 4.5-5.5. Its fine root system is sensitive to both drought and waterlogged conditions, and organic mulch helps maintain even moisture and suitable soil conditions. Plants are generally self-fertile, but growing compatible cultivars together can improve pollination, berry size, and yield. Depending on cultivar, Vaccinium corymbosum is grown approximately in USDA Zones 4-8; cultivars also differ greatly in their winter chilling requirements. Regular pruning of established bushes encourages vigorous new growth and maintains fruit production.

See growing instructions for this plant

Vaccinium macrocarpon, commonly known as Large Cranberry, is a native plant to North America. It is a low-growing shrub growing to a mature height of 2 to 5 ft, and spreads to 3-4 ft wide. It has attractive, small, glossy dark green leaves and fuchsia-pink flowers in spring. It bears bright red cranberries that mature in fall. This small, evergreen shrub can be used both as an edible food crop and as a beautiful ornamental ground cover in semi-shade or full sun. It thrives in acidic soils with good drainage and a pH of 4.0 to 5.2. The soil should be kept moist, yet well drained. It is cold hardy in USDA Zone 2-7.

Cranberries are very healthy and nutrient-rich fruits that are very versatile in cooking. They are rich in vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants, as well as other essential vitamins and minerals such as manganese and vitamin E. They can be eaten fresh or cooked, and made into juices, jams, and other products. The dried fruit can last up to a year and can be used in many recipes, such as sauces, smoothies, or even salads. In addition, cranberries have many health benefits and are linked to reducing urinary tract infections, and aiding digestion, as well as being anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

Bilberries are found in very acidic, nutrient-poor soils throughout the temperate and subarctic regions of the world.

The fruit is smaller than that of the Blueberry but with a fuller taste.

The fruits can be eaten fresh or made into jams, juices or pies. In folk medicine, bilberry leaves were used to treat gastrointestinal ailments, applied topically, or made into infusions. In European herbal medicine, bilberry fruit preparations are now used to enhance poor micro-circulation, including eye conditions such as night-blindness and diabetic retinopathy. The leaves have been used as a tea substitute.

Lingonberries are popularly eaten with a variety of meat dishes, in particular with game meat. Vaccinium vitis-idaea is an ideal choice for those looking to create a low maintenance garden with impressive ground cover, an abundance of winter color, and the bonus of edible fruit. The shrubs may reach 2-5 feet in height. Lingonberry can be grown in full sun to light shade, but should be planted in a sheltered spot as its thin leaves are damaged by heavy winds and freezing temperatures below 24F. Water regularly or frequently as well as in times of prolonged drought and fertilize with a balanced fertilizer in the spring once a year. Lingonberry can be grown in USDA Zone 3-7 and the more severe the climate. The fruits of the lingonberry are high in nutrition, containing an impressive amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is high in dietary fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and manganese. Lingonberry consumption has been associated with numerous health benefits which include improved vascular and lung function, bone health and risk reduction in chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Typically a single plant can produced a plentiful supply of fruits each year, enough to make a plenty of jam.