Vaccinium sempervirens

An Uncommon Jewel of the Carolina Sandhills

A true botanical curiosity of the Carolina Piedmont, Vaccinium sempervirens is an exceedingly rare, evergreen blueberry known only from a single, sandy outcrop in Lexington County, South Carolina. This local endemic, steeped in quiet mystery, stands as a testament to the untamed flora of the Southeastern United States. For those attuned to the poetry of place, this plant is as much historical artifact as horticultural treasure.

Closely related to the more widely known Vaccinium crassifolium, or creeping blueberry, V. sempervirens distinguishes itself with an upright, arching habit and remarkably larger, glossier leaves. In the garden, it takes on the form of a graceful, low shrub—growing either trailing or erect up to 2 feet tall—lending evergreen interest to naturalistic plantings and native borders.

First brought to botanical attention by regional plant enthusiasts with an eye for the extraordinary, this species thrives in moist, acidic, well-drained sands where the water table stays high but never drowns its roots. It is perfectly suited for gardeners restoring Piedmont habitats, collectors of southeastern natives, or those seeking a subtle but storied groundcover with year-round character.

Vaccinium sempervirens is more than a rarity—it is a living relic of South Carolina’s ancient sandhills, offering a whisper of the wild to those wise enough to listen.

Origins of the Name

• First Description (1980)
  In 1980, botanists D. A. Rayner and J. Henderson formally described this plant as a distinct species, Vaccinium sempervirens, publishing its name and diagnostic features. This is the origin of the common name “Rayner’s Blueberry”

• Taxonomic Placement
  Although closely allied to Vaccinium crassifolium (creeping blueberry), Rayner and Henderson noted morphological distinctions—larger glossy leaves, more erect habit, and unique ecological niche in South Carolina sandhills

• Subspecies Status
  Subsequent taxonomists W. B. Kirkman and J. Ballington reclassified it as Vaccinium crassifolium subsp. sempervirens, reflecting its close relationship but geographic isolation

Photos courtesy of Keith Bradley and Michael Kunz