Vaccinium Koralle Lingonberry is valued not only for fruit production but also for ornamental purposes. Koralle is a low-growing ground cover shrub that sets 2 crops a year in optimal conditions. It blooms in loose terminal clusters of small, bell-shaped, nodding white to blush pink flowers, first in spring and again in summer, followed by small round bright red berries in summer and possibly again in fall. The berries are slightly tart and can be eaten fresh or cooked in jams, jellies, and preserves. The flowers attract birds and butterflies; unused berries sustain songbirds.
A Vaccinium vitis-idaea, commonly called lingonberry, Koralle is a mat-forming evergreen that spreads moderately by underground runners to form colonies with attractive glossy, dark green leaves. Cold hardy and low maintenance, lingonberry grows best in sunny locations with peaty, moist, well-draining soil with an acidic pH. A light spring fertilization will help produce the best fruiting and color.
Lingonberry is self-pollinating but planting two or more varieties with similar bloom times encourages cross-pollination, producing larger yields of bigger berries.
