Cranberry Plants for Sale

At James McIntyre & Sons we produce some of the finest Cranberry plants for sale in the UK. The current variety we have available is the popular Pilgrim Cranberry, which produces some of the largest & reddest types available.

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Known in Latin as ‘Vaccinium Macrocarpon’, the cranberry has a very distinct, tart flavour, and are often used for culinary uses such as juicing, sauces & compotes, whilst also being incredibly popular in dried form.

While originally grown in North America, they can grow very well in the British climate, with pot growing and even hanging baskets providing ways in which they can be grown successfully. They also look great as an ornamental plant and has a low growing spread which can provide excellent ground cover.

One of the key factors in their popularity is the significant health benefits they can bring and are often referred to as a ‘super fruit’. Being packed with antioxidants and nutrients, Cranberries are said to have been linked with the prevention of certain types of cancer, improved immunity functions, and lower blood pressure.

Planting & Onward Care

Preparation

Plant in an open sunny spot sheltered from strong winds. Must be planted in acid soil, avoid any soil with a pH of more than 4.5. Cranberries will benefit from being planted close to water, but make sure the ground is free-draining and is not prone to water-logging. Monitor the soil’s pH every few years, because it may be necessary to add acid. Remember, if your soil is not acidic, cranberries will be just as happy planted in a pot or hanging basket with ericaceous compost. The pot size should be approx 1.5 times the size of the root ball to ensure plenty of room for rooting.

Planting

It is a good idea to plant two different varieties of cranberries to ensure cross-pollination although two of the same variety is just as acceptable. A single cranberry plant will produce fruit, but the yields will be higher and the fruits bigger if more than one plant is grown. Plant cranberries in autumn or winter leaving about 1.5m (5ft) gaps between them and mulch with a layer of acidic peat, wood chippings or pine needles. Water in well using rainwater rather than tap water if possible. Tap water contains lime which renders the soil less acidic over time.

Pruning

After approx. 3 years from first crop, cut away the old shoots & tidy runners, doing this will give the plants more space to grow & develop thereby ensuring a larger crop.

Ongoing Care

Use nets to protect plants from birds in the fruiting season. In spring, apply a little Bone Meal around each plant. Once this is done, apply a mulch such as chipped up pine tree or pine needles. These are ideal mulches to place around the plants because they’re fairly acidic. Ensure that all weeds are removed & that the soil is moist before
mulching. Mulching helps to keep the soil cool & moist as well as keep down the weeds. Water plants regularly. They require water from when their buds begin to show in spring until their leaves fall in autumn. Again, remember to use rainwater. For plants grown in pots/hanging baskets, give the plants a high potash feed (such as tomato feed) occasionally during the growing season.

  • CRANBERRY Pilgrim 3L Quick View
    • CRANBERRY Pilgrim 3L Quick View
    • CRANBERRY Pilgrim 3L

    • £13.50
    • Pilgrim produces one of the largest and reddest fruits of any cranberry.  It has a low growing spreading habit with attractive bronze coloured evergreen leaves – leathery in texture – that turn a rich red in autumn and winter.  Pink red flowers in midsummer are followed by glossy, dark red berries with a distinctive tart flavour.
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