Black Huckleberry

Scientific name

Gaylussacia baccata

Description

Black Huckleberry is a low shrub species that typically grows about 0.5 m in height. The leaves are alternately arranged, yellowish green coloured, shiny, oval shaped, have entire margins, and have resinous dots. The flowers are urn or bell shaped, white to light pink coloured, appear in drooping clusters, and bloom between May and July. The fruits are globe shaped berries that are initially green, changing blueish black when mature. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, like bees and butterflies. The fruits are also beneficial to wildlife species, like birds and small mammals. This shrub produces attractive fall colours and the berries are edible to humans.

Planting conditions

Black Huckleberry grows best in dry to normal conditions with partial sun exposure. It prefers well-drained, sandy or rocky soil types. It can tolerate shade, acidity, poor infertile soil, and rocky shallow soil. This shrub can be naturally found in dry forests, rocky slopes, sandy prairies, and upland sandy shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 1.5m
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Dry
  • Normal
• Light conditions:
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 0.5 m
• Spread:
  • 2 m