Bilberries

[davholla]

Has anyone grown these ?  Are they like blueberries in growing conditions ?

[davholla]

[OllieC]

I've picked a lot of them... the biggest ones were in the Highlands, growing at the edge of pine forests that had been planted on peat. So I'd guess so...

[Baccy Man]

I've grown them from seed. They grow wild around here so I haven't had to think about the growing conditions but here is the info I have about their requirements. If you grow them then make sure you net them as birds can strip a bush of fruit in a single day.

They require a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould. Prefer a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. The plants succeed in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position. Dislike root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions. Tolerate some shade, very tolerant of wind and exposure. Plants do not always do well in sheltered positions and they fruit better in an exposed position, notably resistant to honey fungus.

[davholla]

Thanks for that but I live in London so have to grow them in containers.