The autumn colours exhibited by Vaccinium smallii growing in the east valley of the rock garden are fruit and out of season flower magnificent.

These deciduous leaves have taken on the deepest red shades that autumn will produce. A suckering shrub growing to one metre and similar in dimension. It is native to central & North Japan where it is found growing on mountainsides at the margin of forests. Here it is sometimes referred to as the “vinegar tree”; the leaves when chewed are sour and leave an acrid taste in the mouth.

Vaccinium smallii

Vaccinium smallii

Vaccinium smallii