Lingonberry Care Guide

Lingonberries, also known as Cowberry, Partridgeberry, and Foxberry, offer vibrant color and tasty fruit for northern gardens. These hardy plants have been used for centuries worldwide, and during a recent trip to Holland and Germany, we saw them growing in home gardens and enjoyed the many dishes and condiments made from this versatile fruit.

Lingonberries are hardy, dwarf, perennial evergreen shrubs, growing between 4 to 16 inches high and spreading slowly through underground rhizomes. They bloom twice: once in early spring and again in summer. With adequate frost protection, both blooms lead to an abundant crop of red, pea-sized fruit, which is rich in vitamin C and other beneficial acids. While the berries have a slightly tart taste when eaten fresh, they excel in sauces, jams, jellies, and wines. In Europe, lingonberries have long been valued for their medicinal properties, such as lowering cholesterol, relieving gastric distress, and alleviating rheumatism.

Growing Lingonberries

Lingonberries should be grown similarly to blueberries. Plant them in well-drained sites with ample organic matter, such as peat, bark, or sawdust. They are self-pollinating, so they can be planted individually, in rows, or grouped together to form a groundcover. These plants require minimal fertilizer. A balanced acid fertilizer, like the one used for rhododendrons or azaleas, applied once in the spring, is usually sufficient. Plant lingonberries in full sun or filtered shade if you live in an area with warmer summers.