Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Lingonberry)

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Nanie99 New York, NY(Zone 1) Jul 08, 2015

Hi,

I'd like to plant some Lingonberry shrubs in my yard. I can see that Vaccinium vitis-idaea grows well in acidic soil. Would it work to plant it under a Spruce tree? I have a large spruce tree that has had it's lower branches removed, and I can walk underneath. It seem nothing really grows under there, except a few weeds.

Thanks!

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altagardener Calgary, AB(Zone 3b) Jul 08, 2015

The reason nothing grows under spruce trees is that it is very, very dry. The umbrella-like arrangement of branches on spruce trees causes rainwater (and sprinkler water) to run out to its dripline, that is, water falling from above doesn't get in under the branches but only out around the perimeter of the extent of the canopy of the branches.
So... you will have to water to grow much of anything under spruces.

Is your soil naturally acidic? That is, out beyond where the spruce are growing? If not, the addition of even decades worth of spruce needles won't necessarily cause the pH to become acidic... a common but mistaken belief. The plants growing in an area don't cause the pH of the soil... it is the geology of the area that determines the soil pH, and the plants that grow there are those that are adapted to those soil conditions, including pH. That said, most plants, other than ericaceous ones (that is, in the family Ericaceae) such as we are discussing here, are not picky about pH. The majority of Ericaceae require acidic soils.

So, if your soil is naturally acidic, and you water, you may be successful.

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Nanie99 New York, NY(Zone 1) Jul 08, 2015

Hm, so what would grow under a spruce tree in zone 6a? A cactus that loves frigid winters?

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altagardener Calgary, AB(Zone 3b) Jul 08, 2015

If your soil pH/type is not something you know, it would be buried somewhere in available government info, such as here:
http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/land-information-ontario

I've glanced at it but have not delved into it. Give it a shot if you like.

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altagardener Calgary, AB(Zone 3b) Jul 08, 2015

Quote from Nanie99 :
Hm, so what would grow under a spruce tree in zone 6a? A cactus that loves frigid winters?


Almost anything, if you water! I have fairly extensive plantings in the area between our house and the neighbours', underneath their sadly butchered spruce trees. Watering is the only secret.

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