Vaccinium macrocarpon 'Pilgrim' - Pilgrim Cranberry
DESCRIPTION
Pilgrim CranberryVaccinium macrocarpon 'Pilgrim'
Cranberries are not just for growing in the closest bog as you'll see when you plant 'Pilgrim' in your home landscape. While all Cranberries tolerate wet growing conditions, all you'll need is a sunny area with moist, well-drained soil to raise a bumper crop of large, tart tasty red berries that mature in mid to late fall. You'll love the fruit but 'Pilgrim' has far more going for it than a few berries for your holiday meal! It's a great, easy-care groundcover with teeny dark green evergreen foliage on branches that spread wide while staying quite low. The mid-May bloom of tiny pink flowers is attractive and attractive to many butterflies and native insects as a nectar source. Of course, the fruit is just as attractive to our bird friends as to us! Plant 'Pilgrim' in groups for a functional, fruitful fabulous native landscape bonanza.
Benefits
- Grow your own delicious cranberries!
- Easy to grow, evergreen groundcover that stays low
- Tiny pink flowers bloom in May attracting butterflies
- Birds love the fruit too, plant in groups
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Found in coastal areas, cool bogs and swamps.
Map Credit: The Biota of North America
Map Key: Green (native), Teal (native, adventive), Blue (present), Yellow (present & rare), Red (extinct)
INTERESTING FACTS
Pilgrims enjoyed the wild berries but did not start to cultivate them until 1816, when a bog was planted on Cape Cod. By then, American and Canadian sailors on long voyages knew they could eat cranberries to protect themselves from scurvy.
GROWING TIPS
Plant in moist, slightly acidic soil rich in humus. They are self pollinating.
Mature Size: 6-12in. Tall x 18-24in. Wide
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
Sun Exposure: Part Shade
VIDEO
Coming Soon!American Beauties Offer Solution Based Plant Collections to Help you Choose
Quick Tips for Choosing Plants:
- Planting a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials and vines increases biodiversity and gives wildlife a source for food, cover and nesting
- Choose a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees so birds and other wildlife will always be able to find shelter
- Plant trees and large shrubs where they will block winter winds from the house and shade it in summer, that will save energy and lower your carbon footprint
- Try your best to buy plants that were grown locally, your independent garden center will be your best bet
- Think about ultimate height and width of the plant you choose, make sure it will fit the space you have for it when it's reached maturity
- Plant nectar plants in groups, to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects more easily
- Ask for help if you need it. Most garden centers either have a landscape designer on staff or they can give you a reference of a designer that is adept at native plant wildlife gardening. There will be upfront costs but they are small when compared to having to redo a landscape that wasn't what you really wanted
Our Plant Tags Hold the Secrets to Success
Choosing the right plants for your garden can seem like a daunting task but we’re here to help. Our horticulturists have spent a considerable amount of time researching and writing our beautiful, American Beauties plant tags to help you be successful. First of all, when you see an American Beauties branded pot at your garden center you can be confident that the plant is native to your area and a responsible choice.
When you look at our tag you’ll find information about the plants natural habitat. That will give you a clue to how it will work in your backyard. For instance if the plant is naturally founded and moist, shade and you have full sun, it’s not the plant for you. The “Features” section gives you an overview or plant description so you’ll know what to expect. While the “Benefits” section talks about the plants strong suits and how the plant will benefit wildlife.
A Special Note About Exposure
Full sun: Prefers six or more hours of direct sunshine a day
Partial shade: Thrives in three to six hours of daily sunshine
Shade: Generally does well with less than three hours of sun per day. Having said that even shade loving plants will struggle in extremely deep shade.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
Best Plants for Bees - Double sided printout for download
Best Plants for Butterflies - Double sided printout for download