VACCINIUM: Huckleberry

Of the four hundred fifty or so species of fruiting shrubs that come under the genus Vaccinium and found throughout North America and mountainous regions of South America, about a dozen are native to parts of the Pacific Northwest, including Oregon.

Known by many common names including sparkleberry, whortleberry, huckleberry (though not “true” huckleberries), crowberry and several others, the majority of the fruiting varieties require similar care and growing conditions as their most well-known relatives, the common blueberry:  acidic, well-drained soil, sun to partial shade, regular water.

Essentially pest and disease free, and not requiring much pruning other than occasional light pruning to shape, Vacciniums are a great addition to the garden. The berries are edible to both humans and birds, so they are an asset to both the wildlife and wild fruit gardens. The species we most commonly see, and that have great garden potential are: (click photos to enlarge)

Vaccinium ovatum – Evergreen Huckleberry. This is the most well-known of the native Vacciniums; its stems of small, green, leathery leaves are frequently used in floral arrangements. In the woods, it can grow to twelve feet or more, but in full sun usually stays under five feet, its foliage turning reddish purple. New shoots are a beautiful deep red that contrasts with the dark leaves. In the spring the branches are covered with clusters of tiny, pinkish-white bell-shaped flowers, followed by tiny blue-black fruit; so small that it takes a good-sized portion to make jam, jelly or syrup, it is worth the effort for their sweet, fresh flavor

Vaccinium parvifolium – Red Huckleberry. Of all our deciduous Vacciniums, this is the one most commonly found west of the Cascades; in open to dense forests, frequently growing out of conifer stumps or fallen and decaying logs. Delicate, small, light green oval leaves grow from the many tiny twigs along the branches, followed in spring by fairly inconspicuous greenish-white bell shaped flowers along the stems. The fruits are tiny, red to orange-red, sweet-tart in flavor. They stand out in strong contrast to the bright green branches and leaves. This shrub will grow anywhere from three to twelve feet in height, reaching its taller limits in shadier conditions.

Vaccinium membranaceum – Black Huckleberry. A fairly common under story plant in northwest coniferous forests. The leaves are elliptical and somewhat larger than those of the V. ovatum, spaced much further apart along the stem. Flowers are creamy to yellow-pink bells that emerge from the leaf axis, followed by larger, purplish, tasty berries. In fall, the foliage turns red to reddish-purple. This deciduous shrub grows three to six feet tall.

Some of the other deciduous, native Vaccinium species are V. ovalifolium, V. alaskense, V. deliciosum, V. oxycoccus and V. uliginosum.

Peggy Acott