Empetrum nigrum ‘Compass Harbor’ – Black Crowberry

General Information: A creeping, matted, perennial evergreen sub-shrub. With red branches and needle-like green leaves, Crowberry resembles a miniature Fir tree. The inconspicuous flowers appear in June and July. The juicy black berries, which are edible but insipid when raw, ripen in September and are frequently eaten by arctic birds. The plant’s circumpolar distribution is thought to be a result of migratory birds dispersing the seeds on their travels. In areas where they are not heavily browsed, the berries remain on the plants all winter and become much more palatable. Crowberry plants are becoming scarce in the southern parts of their range. They are a host plant to several Moth species.

Cultivation Details: ‘Compass Harbor’ is a self-pollinating cultivar, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The plant has allelopathic tendencies, which is to say the plant gives off chemical signals (from decaying leaves in this case) that are good at preventing competing plants from germinating or growing. Consider pairing with Lingonberry, (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), Hillside Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum), and Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium laevifolium) as these species are unlikely to be affected by Crowberry’s allelopathic compounds. Useful as a groundcover, in border plantings, foundation plantings, rock gardens, rewilding, or as a specimen plant.

Edible Qualities: Berries are suitable for processing into jams, jellies, drinks, pies, drying, or freeze drying. Crowberries are a staple crop of many Indigenous cultures of the far North. The plants are also employed medicinally. Jam and juice producers use Crowberries as a Blueberry extender and coloring agent.

Growing Requirements: Plant in full sun to dappled shade. Prefers well-drained soils. Will tolerate salt and polluted sites as long as the soil is acidic. Like other members of the Heath Family, Crowberry is best grown with an organic mulch and will only survive in acidic soils. Alkaline soils will kill them. Once established, the plants do not like to be disturbed.