Blue Crop Blueberry vs Black Crowberry - TreeTime.ca

Blue Crop Blueberry vs Black Crowberry

Empetrum nigrum

Vaccinium corymbosum Blue Crop

CUSTOM GROW

Black Crowberry
Blue Crop Blueberry

Black Crowberry is a native evergreen shrub that forms low, spreading mats. It has unique foliage that spirals around the stem, and small dark berries, giving it visual appeal. The berries are edible, but can be acidic, so they are not generally eaten fresh. In colder climates, the berries develop a sweet-tart flavor and are often dried or used in desserts, jams, and jellies.

This hardy shrub provides food for birds and mammals, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees. It also serves as a host plant for certain butterflies and moths. Together, these roles make it a key contributor to the health of tundra and boreal ecosystems.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the berries are known locally as ‘blackberries’ and are enjoyed in jams, jellies, and traditional baked goods such as buns and puddings. In Scandinavia, they continue to be used in liqueurs, wines, and juices.

Blue Crop Blueberry is a high yielding, commercial highbush blueberry variety that is widely planted. If you're lucky enough to live in a suitable climate zone, Blue Crop Blueberry is a great choice. Its very large berries taste amazing. They are very firm and store well.

While this variety is self-pollinating, we recommend pairing Blue Crop Blueberry with another Blueberry to increase the berry production of both varieties.

You must prune Blue Crop Blueberry to maintain its health and productivity.

Note: Blueberries require very specific soil conditions. They need well-drained soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.0.

Black Crowberry Quick Facts

Blue Crop Blueberry Quick Facts

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Zone: 3a
Zone: 4a
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 0.4 m (1.3 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: low growing, matt-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: evergreen needle-like leaves
Fall colour: orange-red
Flowers: pink-red, very small
Bloom time: late spring to early summer
Berries: purplish-black, edible
Berries: big clusters of large, light blue berries
Fruit size: very large
Firmness: very firm
Flavor: bland, slightly bitter
Flavor: slightly tart, excellent
Harvest: late summer to fall
Harvest: mid summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: crakeberry, curlewberry, heathberry, northern crowberry