Evergreen Huckleberry
Vaccinium ovatum
Other Common Names: California Huckleberry, Sparkleberry, Whortleberry, Crowberry, Winter Huckleberry
NOTE: As with all of our other plants and trees, all of our fruit plants are grown in containers outdoors so they are fully rooted and landscape-ready upon arrival.
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-9b Find Your Zone
Ripens: Late Summer
Pollinators: Self Fertile
Height at Maturity: 5-6′ in sun, up to 12′ in shade
Width at Maturity: 5-6′
Spacing: 4 feet for solid hedge; 10’+ for space between plants
Fruit Color: Blue Black, edible
Fruit Flavor: Sweet and fresh!
Fruit Size: Small
Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Light Shade, Shade
Water Needs: Average
Soil Type: Rich in organic matter
Drainage/Soil Moisture: Moist But Well Drained
Soil pH: 4.5 – 5.5
Description
A close relative of the common Blueberry, Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) is one of the most versatile and underused native plants in fruit gardens and edible landscaping. There are so many great attributes it’s hard to know where to start in describing them. In the spring, the branches of are covered with clusters of pretty, bell-shaped, pinkish-white flowers. Following the flowers are colorful and delicious blue-black edible fruits that ripen in late summer having a sweet, fresh flavor for fresh eating or cooking or preserves. The berries persist well into winter. Also in spring, new leaves emerge in attractive, brilliant shades of copper to orange or red turning to a shiny deep green as they mature. The small leaves of this shrub create a very fine texture, but its slightly irregular growth habit keeps it interesting. The evergreen leaves are so nice that the branches are often used by professional florists in cut flower arrangements, and you can do the same. Exceptionally versatile, this native can be grown in full sun, where it will have a more compact and dense form 4 to 6 feet tall, or part shade to shade where it will grow 8 to 12 feet tall with a more open, graceful form.
As mentioned, Huckleberries are highly prized for both fresh eating and cooking/preserving. The berries can be used raw in salads, cooked into preserves and compotes, dried and added to granolas and trail mix, and if you have enough, Huckleberry pie!
NOTE: As with all of our other plants and trees, all of our fruit plants are grown in containers outdoors so they are fully rooted and landscape-ready upon arrival.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Evergreen Huckleberry is a fine addition to fruit gardens or the edible landscape. It is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings or as a hedge or screen in landscape and woodland borders.
Growing Preferences
Huckleberry plants grow best in an acidic (pH of 4.8 to 5.2), organically rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. The more sun the better for best berry production. Huckleberries are self-fertile.
Helpful Articles
Plant as you would a Blueberry Bush.
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Blueberry bushes.
How To Plant A Blueberry Bush
How To Fertilize & Water Blueberry Bushes
How To Prune A Blueberry Bush
Blueberry Varieties & Cross Pollinators
Plant Long & Prosper!
Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff
Questions? Contact Us!
I’m working on foundation planting with natives that are attractive, not too big or too small, good for birds but deer resistant. Food humans can eat is a plus. So evergreen huckleberry checks all the boxes, on paper at least, and I was so excited to see this size available so I pounced on it and dug the hole before it even shipped. It was so well-packed! Looked great so I popped it right in and gave it Holly-tone and water. It has been about 3 weeks and happy to report that the deer walked right by it to browse a black chokecherry (sigh) and demolish 3 Blue Daze evolvulus that I impulsively planted a week ago (forgetting Bambi and friends). The reddish new growth is so pretty. If this one thrives, I’ll buy more and sing its praises.———————————————————————-Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG































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