Deerberry is a native deciduous shrub that is found in all parts of NC. It may grow 5 to 15 feet tall and nearly as wide with leaves that are alternate with a smooth margin and fuzzy underside. The bark is gray-brown to reddish-brown and very shreddy. In spring, small, white, bell-shaped flowers mature. The shrub produces a purplish-black berry that matures in late summer or fall. It spreads by runners to form clumps and is drought tolerant once established. Grow this shrub in acidic, rich, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Deer, birds and small mammals eat the berries. It is best used in a naturalized area, native plant garden or open woodland. Pair it with other acid-loving plants like blueberries, native azaleas or native hydrangeas. Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating. Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) may occur in high pH soils. Potential but infrequent disease problems include stem blight, root rot, anthracnose, cane cankers, mildew and botrytis. Watch for azalea stem borer, fall webworm, scale, and tent caterpillars. More information on Vaccinium .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Blue; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
1-3 inch long and .75 to 1.25 inches wide leaves are alternate and simple with entire margins. They are green to blue-green with fuzzy white undersides. Fall color is reds to purples.
Fall color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Green; Pink; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle; Raceme
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
1/4 inch broad, open bell-shaped, greenish-white flowers (sometimes pink-tinged) with 5 petals in leafy-bracted panicles. Yellowish stamens extend beyond the petals. It blooms April-early June.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
1/2 inch pale yellow to green to purple pear-shaped berries in loose dangling clusters. The fruits ripen from late summer to early fall.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
The bark is gray-brown to reddish-brown and very shreddy.
Stem detail
Slender, zigzagged stems are green and red turning light brown; buds small and pointed.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Canada to Mexico
Distribution
AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WV
Wildlife value
This plant provides nectar for pollinators and supports Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus) larvae which have one flight and appear from May to July in the North and March to April in the South. Adult Brown Elfin butterflies feed on flower nectar. Adult butterflies nectar from the blooms. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, small mammals, ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, deer and black bears. Members of the genus Vaccinium support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Conandrena) bradleyi, Andrena (Andrena) carolina, Panurginus atramontensis, Habropoda laboriosa, Colletes productus, Colletes validus, and Osmia (Melanosmia) virga.