She really tries to spoil us with floral experiences all year round. With evergreen leaves and decorative, fragrant berries, the checkerberry guides us through the dark season. In partially shaded, cool locations, its distinctive pink-white flowers add cheerful splashes of color in the summertime. If you are interested in the specific cultivation of the dwarf shrub and ground cover, you will find well-founded answers to frequently asked questions here.

The checkerberry still bears berries in winter

Table of Contents

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  1. Planting berries correctly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. The right planting distance
  5. What soil does the plant need?
  6. When is flowering time?
  7. Cut the berries properly
  8. Pour the cloudberry
  9. Fertilize the checkerberry properly
  10. hibernate
  11. propagate cloudberry
  12. Gingerbread in the pot
  13. Is haricot poisonous?

    14. Planting berries correctly

    Plant the cloudberry either in autumn or spring in a partially shaded location with moist, humus-rich and acidic soil. Place the root ball in a container of lime-free water while you prepare the soil. How to do it right:

    • Rake the earth, weed it, clean it from stones and roots
    • Dig small pits 25-30 cm apart with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball
    • Mix the excavation with acidic leaf compost or bog soil
    • Plant a young checkerberry about 10 cm lower than when it was in the pot so that new shoots form at the base

    Press down the soil, water with soft water and spread a layer of mulch. Leaves, grass clippings and bark mulch are well suited.

    care tips

    The following brief overview of the care program makes it clear why the cloudberry is so popular with beginners in the hobby gardening. Loving attention, paired with these measures, results in a magnificent ornamental tree:

    • Keep the soil constantly slightly moist without waterlogging
    • Only water with soft water
    • Fertilize every 4 weeks from April to August with leaf compost or liquid rhododendron fertilizer
    • Moderate pruning by a third, maximum half, in March to mid-April

    Winter protection is not required in the bed, as the checkerberry is completely frost-resistant. This requirement does not apply to pots and balcony boxes. Cover the vessels with bubble wrap and layer leaves on the substrate.
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    Which location is suitable?

    In a semi-shady location, the cloudberry reaches its peak floral form. In shady locations, on the other hand, the flowering is usually quite poor, so that only a few berries appear in autumn. Loose, moist garden soil meets their needs perfectly. An acidic pH is of the utmost importance for the lush heather to feel well cared for.

    The right planting distance

    As a ground cover, the checkerberry brings out its diverse attributes perfectly. Spread 8-10 plants per square meter to create a dense, evergreen carpet. As a border of bed or grave, you are correct with a distance of 25-30 cm. If the cloudberry thrives in the window box, reduce the value by 5 cm.

    What soil does the plant need?

    In moist, humus-rich soil with an acidic pH of 4.5 to 6.0, the essential criteria for optimal soil conditions are met. So that the attractive ornamental tree unfolds its magic in the pot and balcony box, we recommend ericaceous soil, rhododendron substrate or standard soil as a substrate. Adding a few handfuls of lava granules (€13.99) improves permeability.

    When is flowering time?

    The flowering period of a cloudberry extends over the months of July and August. In the right location, the ornamental tree delights us with countless white to pink-white mini flowers that stand together in lush clusters. Never cut off withered blossoms, because they turn into enchanting berry decorations in autumn.

    Cut the berries properly

    If you cut back the 10-20 cm small berry by a third or half, this measure promotes further branching and a rich abundance of flowers. The best time for pruning is an overcast, frost-free day between early March and mid-April. At the same time, thin out the dwarf shrub thoroughly so that it does not age from below.

    Pour the cloudberry

    Don't let a cloudberry go thirsty, because drought stress can cause significant problems. Water the shrub plentifully and regularly once the surface of the soil has dried. Do not water the densely leafy plant from above, as in this case not enough water penetrates to the roots. Use the jug spout to pour the water directly onto the root disk. Only use collected rainwater, decalcified tap water or pond water.

    Fertilize the checkerberry properly

    The cloudberry invests all its energy in the distinctive bouquet of blossoms, leaves and berries. Provide sufficient replenishment with an organic or mineral-organic fertilizer. From April to August, fertilize the dwarf shrub every 4 weeks with acidic compost or liquid rhododendron fertilizer.

    hibernate

    No measures are to be taken in the bed for overwintering a cloudberry. The ornamental tree is completely hardy and tirelessly sets decorative accents with its leaves and berries even in the freezing frost. During the cold season, water whenever there is no snow or rain and the soil has dried.

    Cultivated in tubs or balcony boxes, the root ball should be protected from frost damage. Wrap the planter in bubble wrap or jute ribbon. The substrate is covered with a layer of leaves or peat moss. Adjust the water supply to the reduced demand. Drought stress or waterlogging also mean the end for the plant in winter.

    propagate cloudberry

    The cloudberry offers 3 uncomplicated methods of vegetative propagation:

    • Take 5-10 cm small cuttings and root them in poor soil
    • Cut off the runners, divide into pieces with 2-3 eyes and root in the pot
    • Division of the root ball in spring or autumn

    The generative propagation by sowing proves to be delicate and time-consuming. The seeds are poisonous cold germs, which germinate only hesitantly even after stratification.

    Gingerbread in the pot

    In pots and balcony boxes, the haricot thrives vitally and healthily in acidic ericaceous soil or rhododendron substrate. A piece of pottery over the water drain prevents waterlogging. The care program does not set up any gardening hurdles. That's how it's done:

    • Always water the substrate when the surface has dried
    • Apply liquid rhododendron fertilizer every 30 days from April to August
    • Before the first frost, place the container on wood and cover it with bubble wrap
    • Spread a thick layer of foliage over the substrate

    In March/April, cut back the dwarf shrub a little to encourage further branching. If the pot is fully rooted, repot into fresh substrate.

    Is haricot poisonous?

    The name already suggests it. The fruits of a checkerberry are not suitable for consumption. In fact, the apparently red flesh is thickened sepals encasing a thin-walled capsule containing poisonous seeds. Anyone who eats the fruit suffers symptoms of poisoning such as nausea, vomiting and cramps. Partridge berries should therefore not be planted within the reach of children and pets. There are no toxic substances in the leaves and shoots.
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Vegetable garden