Huckleberry — Bay Area Native Plants

Care

Sun

part shade, full shade

Water

moderate

Soil

moist, acidic, well-drained; humus-rich

Size

3–8ft tall , 3–6ft wide

Bloom

Mar-May · white, pink

Foliage

Evergreen

Container

Friendly

Edible

Berries eaten fresh or cooked

Keystone Plant

Supports up to 107 butterfly and moth species in Mediterranean California

Native Range

Pacific Coast from British Columbia to central California

Small urn-shaped white to pink flowers; edible blue-black berries

Delicious edible berries; slow growing; excellent shade shrub

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Huckleberry in part shade or full shade, in well-drained soil with good drainage - it tolerates sandy, clay, and nutrient-poor soils. Plant in fall or winter when the plant is dormant, spacing multiple plants 3-4 feet apart if creating a hedge. This evergreen native is slow-growing, so patience is part of the deal.

After Planting

Water moderately during the first growing season to establish roots, then reduce to about 3 times per month once established - this is a low-water plant that actually prefers dry conditions. After the first year, let nature handle most of the watering in the Bay Area. The biggest mistake people make is overwatering; your Huckleberry will struggle in soggy soil far more than it will in dry conditions, so err on the side of less water rather than more.

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