Mountain Huckleberry
Mountain Huckleberry is a treasured huckleberry that grows throughout the West, mostly at higher elevations, making it a favorite treat of hikers in late summer. Due to its high altitude nature, it can be somewhat tricky to grow at lower elevations so we’ve found placing it on the north side of a building or taller plantings where it remains in the shade throughout most of the winter but then receives sun in the late spring and summer months causes it to not bloom too early. Planting groundcovers around it to help keep the soil cool also helps with this.
Additional Information:
Latin Name: Vaccinium membranaceum
Site and Soil: Can grow in sun or shade and likes moist, well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile.
Hardiness: Hardy to minus 40° F.
Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 3-4 ft. in height in full sun, 6-8 ft. in shade
Taste: Sweet and wild
Fruit Skin: Dark blue to purple
Bloom Time: May
Ripening Time: September
Yield: 2-3 pints
Pests & Diseases: Not bothered by pests or diseases
USDA Zone: 4-9