Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Friday - November 08, 2013
From: La Conner, WA
Region: Northwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Lingonberry 'Ida' Source for Commercial Production in the Pacific NW
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
I am having difficulty locating a Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) cultivar named 'Ida'. Where can I purchase this plant for commercial production in the Pacific Northwest?ANSWER:
Vaccinium vitis-idaea is a low, creeping shrub with evergreen leaves that is called lingonberry (or Northern mountain-cranberry or cowberry). The reddish-purple fruits are edible, although acidic and somewhat bitter, and are often cooked and used like cranberries. The real treasures are the fruits that overwinter under the snow and are much sweeter in the spring when the snow melts. The species is native from Greenland to Alaska in bogs and rocky areas. It is particularly suited to the climate and soils of the Pacific Northwest.
Ross Penhallegon at Oregon State University Extension in Eugene, Oregon has an article online proclaiming the Lingonberry to be “A great new crop for the Pacific Northwest.” The article outlines the history of the plant and has some good information about commercial growing as well.
For a list of current lingonberry nurseries, contact Ross Penhallegon, OSU Extension Service, 950 West 13 Avenue, Eugene, OR 97402 Phone: 541-682-4243. Email: [email protected]
Cornell University indicates that Raintree Nursery in Morton, WA is a source for ‘Ida’ Lingonberry.
Cornell also has an article on commercial production of lingonberry fruit. They say that ‘Ida’ is a vigorous, upright Swedish cultivar with large red berries (to 1.75 oz.). It was developed in 1997.
Oregon and Washington state have at least 16 acres of lingonberries in commercial production (the largest commercial cultivation in the world), writes Larry Burt and Ross Penhallegon of Oregon State University Extension. They have extensive information about the economics of growing lingonberry.
From the Image Gallery
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Locating source for Crataegus Brazoria (Brazoria Hawthorn)
March 20, 2006 - I want to purchase a Crataegus Brazoria Sarg. (Brazoria Hawthorn) but cannot find a source for one. Can you help?
view the full question and answer
Source of Pectis angustifolia from Georgetown TX
December 26, 2012 - You answered an earlier question about Limoncillo (Pectis angustifolia) by saying you had found a source for these seeds in Santa Fe, but the hyperlink was inoperable. I'd like to try to propogate t...
view the full question and answer
Sources for information on federally protected plants
May 20, 2010 - There are plans to build an apartment complex on a beautiful parcel of land on Union Rd. in West Seneca, New York. Formerly this land was the home of Houghton College. I am wondering if ther...
view the full question and answer
Source for non-native Coleus Canina
March 04, 2009 - We are trying to find Coleus Canina (Scaredy Cat Coleus)? to no avail. We purchased this plant in 2006 and it works. The Vt company no longer carries it. Can you help me. Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Rhizobium Source for Bluebonnets
December 20, 2010 - Trying to find a source for rhizobium for bluebonnets.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |