Whinberry Wimberry Myrtleberry European Blueberry ...?

[Vipersan]

Call it what you like ..
I call it Wimberry ..
Point is ..
This much unappreciated of fruit is one I would like to add on my dads plot this year ..
My neighbour has asked in 3 garden centres recently ..
The furthest afield on a trip to Bradford ..
She was met with the same quizzical look and negative response..
Derrr wassat then ?
A taste of my childhood is what that is ..and a fruit which although intensive to grow and harvest is close to ..food of the Gods.
Thus I want to start some ..
Who wouldnt want a Wimbery pie or tart..
Can anyone help here ..?
Perhaps you have some growing in your garden ?
..or could collect a sample which grows wild on moorlands and heaths ?
The juice is to die for and stains everything it touches.

rgds
VS

 

[sonnetpete]

I think they are usually known as bilberries VS. Have a look at this link :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bilberry-Sy...id=1428416555&sr=8-1&keywords=bilberry+plants

 

[PaulR]

I love a mean Mucky Mouth Pie.

Never heard them called myrtleberries although it would make perfect sense as they're known as myrtilles in France.

 

[Archived-1]

Something like that grows on a hedge row where i go metal detecting, last year the farmers friend who also is a farmer was with his wife collecting the fruit for a pie,

The next time i go out i will take my camera and see if its what you want, if so, i will take a few cutting and bring them on then post them to you V/S, from memory the plant/bush has spikes ?.

 

[Topper]

Well I have always known them as wimberries and there used to be plenty on the banking at the side of the road near where I used to live, I know because I used to pick them every year with a friend, I have not been over there recently but I can make a detour next time I am out in the car in daylight, I assume it is cuttings you are after?

 

[Vipersan]

Something like that grows on a hedge row where i go metal detecting, last year the farmers friend who also is a farmer was with his wife collecting the fruit for a pie,

The next time i go out i will take my camera and see if its what you want, if so, i will take a few cutting and bring them on then post them to you V/S, from memory the plant/bush has spikes ?.

The Link Pete provided has a couple of picture of the shrub ..
..and yes I'd apprecaite you looking into this ..
I'll not get any fruit this year ..but found someone selling 30 seeds for £2.75 on fleabay ..so have bought these ..
My fingers sadly arent so green ..but my dad rarely fails on anything he grows ..
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

Well I have always known them as wimberries and there used to be plenty on the banking at the side of the road near where I used to live, I know because I used to pick them every year with a friend, I have not been over there recently but I can make a detour next time I am out in the car in daylight, I assume it is cuttings you are after?

Yep ..your assistance is appreciated buddy ..
cheers
VS
Maybe I'll taste these beautiful fruits again before I pop me cloggs..
lol

 

[Archived-1]

The Link Pete provided has a couple of picture of the shrub ..
..and yes Id apprecaite you looking into this ..

No worries Evan, leave it with me, i will ask the farmer what it is, he will know, and have a read up about taking cuttings if its the shrub in question,

 

[battenfan]

Vaccinium myrtillus?

I'm sure some Scandinavian friend should be able to supply you with a few shrubs.
'Acidic soil', I would try in the shadow of a rhododendron if you have one.

 

[pgh13]

I've always known them as Bilberries although my gran would sometimes call them Wimberries -that was in the sixties in Blackpool. As you say, they seem to be omitted from modern knowledge and I haven't seen them for years.

 

[Vipersan]

Vaccinium myrtillus?

I'm sure some Scandinavian friend should be able to supply you with a few shrubs.
'Acidic soil', I would try in the shadow of a rhododendron if you have one.

No rhodo's ...but we do have some Azaleas..
Also Privets thrive in acid soil...
;)

 

[Analoguesat]

Bilberries. They will grow better on acid (ericaeous) soils.

You need a lot for a pie - so let someone else do all the hard work

http://www.amazon.co.uk/JustIngredi...TF8&qid=1428425688&sr=8-1&keywords=bilberries

 

[Vipersan]

I know it's a lot of work ..but I do love my fruit ..
Had a good crop last year ..and more this year I hope as the dwarf trees establish..

 

[Vipersan]

Dammit Missed the Victoria Plum

 

[Channel Hopper]

No rhodo's ...but we do have some Azaleas..
Also Privets thrive in acid soil...
;)

I had dingleberries a few years back, but a dose of epsom salts quickly fixed that.

 

[Vipersan]

Lol..
almost as bad as Klingons ...

 

[battenfan]

Bilberry pie. Once I imagined that the berries developed more taste if they were kept in the freezer a few months. Maybe a fluke.

 

[pgh13]

View attachment 76013

Bilberry pie. Once I imagined that the berries developed more taste if they were kept in the freezer a few months. Maybe a fluke.

I think you might have something there. When we were kids they used to come from the green grocer but they'd had some sort of processing before he got them. I had wondered if they'd been cooked but I think frozen is more likely

 

[aceb]

Make sure you get the right plant, last autumn I was out walking the dogs and went passed a family busily stripping a bush of its fruit. I heard mum say to daughter we can make a lovely blueberry pie if we get enough of them, I didn't have the heart to tell them they were sloes. Gin anyone?

 

[timo_w2s]

Bilberries grow everywhere here in Finland. My mum made a pie last week. The only places I've seen the wild variety grow in the UK are in the woods near Sandhurst/Crowthorne in the south and up on the fells North of Preston, Lancs. I'm sure there are other places too.