// SPECIES PROFILE · SHRUB · NATIVE

Lowbush Blueberry

Vaccinium pallidum

Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) is a shrub in the Ericaceae family. Native range includes AR, KS, MO, OK. Hardy in zones 3a–8a. Blooms Apr–May.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: Ericaceae
Group: shrub
Native range: Native to 35 U.S. states, including AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL…
USDA hardiness: Zones 3a–8a
Mature size: —
Sun: Part shade
Water: Low · xeric
Bloom: Apr–May
Wildlife value: High — pollinator and wildlife support
Ecological role: dry-woods lowbush blueberry · edible fruit · part-shade tolerant

Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) — *Vaccinium pallidum* — Lowbush Blueberry. Photo by Eric Hunt via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) is a shrub in the Ericaceae family. Native range includes AR, KS, MO, OK. Hardy in zones 3a–8a. Blooms Apr–May. Low water use makes it a strong candidate for xeric and drought-conscious plantings.

Why it's on this list: dry-woods lowbush blueberry · edible fruit · part-shade tolerant. Native-range data from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN), cross-checked against iNaturalist observations. Part of Rooted Revival's regional native plant catalog — true natives for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In the same native range, lowbush blueberry pairs naturally with: Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), False Indigo Bush (Amorpha fruticosa), New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus), Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra).