Vaccinium cespitosum, commonly known as Dwarf Bilberry, is a low-growing perennial shrub native to a variety of habitats including subalpine and alpine meadows, open coniferous forests, and the edges of peat bogs in North America, ranging from Canada to Guatemala. It typically forms dense mats rarely exceeding half a meter in height. The plant features small, leathery, reddish-green leaves and bears tiny, bell-shaped, pink flowers from May to June, which are quite showy in their clustered appearance. By late summer, these flowers give way to dark blue, edible berries that are both a food source for wildlife and can be used in human culinary applications.

Dwarf Bilberry is valued for its ability to form ground cover in rocky or mountainous areas, and its berries are appreciated for their flavor and nutritional value. It is often used in rock gardens, as a border plant, or for naturalizing wild areas. The plant prefers acidic, well-drained soils and can tolerate partial shade, although it will produce more fruit in full sun. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to fungal diseases in humid conditions. Dwarf Bilberry is also recognized for its ecological role as a host plant for the butterfly Lycaeides idas nabokovi. Gardeners should be aware that while it is not typically invasive, in ideal conditions it can spread via runners.CC BY-SA 4.0