Thinleaf Huckleberry

Scientific name

Vaccinium Membranaceum

Description

Thinleaf Huckleberry is a shrub species that typically grows up to 1.5 m in height. This plant may also be known by the common name Mountain Huckleberry, Blue Huckleberry, or Black Huckleberry. The leaves are thin, alternately arranged, elliptic to oblong shaped, and have finely toothed margins. The flowers are creamy white colored, bell shaped, and bloom between May and June. The fruits are purplish to reddish black colored berries that ripen between July and August. 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.

Planting conditions

Thinleaf Huckleberry grows best in moist conditions with 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. 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:
  • Max 1.5m
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Flood Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 1b
  • 2a
  • 2b
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 1.5 m
• Spread:
  • 2 m