Evergreen Huckleberry

Scientific name

Vaccinium ovatum

Description

Evergreen Huckleberry is an attractive evergreen shrub species that typically grows to about 2.5 m in height. This plant may also be known by the common names California Huckleberry, Box Huckleberry, or Evergreen Blueberry. The leaves are alternately arranged, dark green colored with paler undersides, thick and leathery, oval to lance shaped, and have serrated margins. The flowers are pinkish white colored, bell shaped, fragrant, appear in clusters of 3-10, and bloom between March and July. The fruits are small, round, shiny, purplish black colored berries that ripen between July and September. The fruit and habitat this shrub provides are beneficial to wildlife species, such as birds and small mammals. Huckleberries are an important source of food for Grizzly and Black Bears. The roots are good for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines. This shrub has been used for riparian zone re-vegetation. It is hardy, easy to grow, and low maintenance.

Planting conditions

Evergreen Huckleberry grows best in normal to moist conditions with full sun or partial sun exposure. It prefers well-drained, acidic sand, loam, or gravel soil types. It is tolerant of acidic soil, low nutrient soil, steep slopes, and periodically flooded areas. It can tolerate deep shade but will produce more flowers and fruit with more sun exposure. It can tolerate drought and dry soil but young plants should be watered occasionally during hot summers. This shrub can be naturally found in wet or dry forests, around forest edges, on open slopes, and along river or stream shorelines.

Details

Plant height:
- Any
- Over 3m
Moisture level:
- Normal
- Moist
- Drought Tolerant
- Flood Tolerant
Light conditions:
- Full sun
- Partial sun
- Shade
Soil type:
- Sandy
- Loamy
- Rocky
pH:
- Acidic
- Normal
Depth:
- Potted
- Bareroot
Eco Zone:
- 3b
- 4a
- 4b
- 5a
- 5b
- 6a
- 6b
- 7a
- 7b
- 8a
Plant type:
- Shrub
Height:
- 2.5 m
Spread:
- 2 m