This suckering shrub has upright arching reddish stems that form a compact rounded habit. It has dark green leathery ovate leaves and the small white-pink bell-shaped flowers appear in clusters from late spring to early summer, followed by berries.

Hardiness zones 7 to 10 

Vaccinium ovatum is naturally found in North America from Oregon to southern California growing in well drained fertile moist sandy to peaty loams that are tending acidic tolerating wet boggy soils. It prefers an open sunny to semi shaded position and is frost tolerant but drought tender.

Leatherleaf is grown for its foliage and its habit. It is planted in woodland settings, parks and gardens as a specimen or used in shady borders. It is suitable for coastal or inland regions establishing in 3 to 5 years and is commonly used in the floristry industry as cut foliage. ID 2251

Vaccinium (va-KEEN-ee-um) ovatum (o-VAH-tum)

Ericaceae (er-ek-AY-see-ee)
Bilberries, Blueberries,Cranberies, Heathers, Heaths, Rhododendrons, Wintergreens