Evergreen Huckleberry Planting Instructions
Vaccinium ovatum - Evergreen Huckleberry Planting Instructions
Evergreen huckleberries, a broadleaf evergreen shrub, native to the Pacific coastal forests offers a beautiful compact shrub and tasty berries. Will be 4 foot tall and wide if grown in full sun and up to 10 foot tall if grown in full shade and not pruned. Grows in USDA Zones 7 to 9.
Likes an acidic, slightly moist, well-drained soil and regular water similar to what blueberries like. Grows in USDA Zones 7-9 and Zone 6 with wind protection. In colder climates, plant in a container and bring into a sheltered area with good light where the temperature does not get below 18 degrees. Evergreen Huckleberry plants are not house plants.
If planting in a container:
Soil should be well draining, but contain approximately:
30% - 3/8" minus- Fine Fir Bark, unscreened.
30% - Fir sawdust
16% - 3/8" minus Natural Cascade Mountain Volcanic Pumice. Unscreened.
12% - Peat Moss
12% - Perlite
If you cannot find the components locally, we sell a Blueberry Potting mix on our website.
If planting in the ground:
If your soil has a high pH, try to make it to be in the range of 5.9 to 6.5. Evergreen huckleberry plants need a soil similar to what blueberry plants need. Adding 30 % fir or pine sawdust or 20% peat moss to your soil will lower pH naturally.
If you are on the West coastal areas can be grown in full sun to full shade. If inland or in Southern areas, or in hot dry climates plants needs shade from 10 AM to dark and constant moisture to increase humidity. Provide wind protection until established. Makes a great container plant for the patio where you can water frequently.
Small pinkish white flowers emerge in spring, followed by berries that turn red in summer before ripening to a dark blue-black color in the Fall. Flowers are enjoyed by bees and butterflies. Berries are favorite of humans, birds, and numerous wildlife.
The evergreen leaves and branches are used in floral arrangements and to make huckleberry leaf tea.