How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Evergreen Huckleberry Plants

Edible berries, lush leaves, and arching stems make evergreen huckleberries one of the most decorative native shrubs available on the West Coast. They’re favorites of local birds, mammals, bugs, and gardeners! Grow one today and your neighbors will ask, “What’s that gorgeous plant in your yard?”

Close up of flowering evergreen huckleberry plant with pink tinged blooms and dark blue berries.

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Close relatives of blueberries, lingonberries, and cranberries, huckleberries are forest-dwelling shrubs that produce bushels of edible fruit. They love shady sites underneath tree canopies. You’ll notice them thriving in western forests beneath Douglas fir trees, coast redwoods, hemlocks, pines, and firs. 

Unlike blueberry plants, this native shrub has specific requirements that limit its range. Extreme frost, low humidity, and sunny exposures may cause issues for the growing shrub. Grant it what it needs so it rewards you with healthy evergreen growth throughout the warm seasons.

Whether you’re planting an edible garden or one for pollinators, huckleberries work well in many landscape styles. Use them in borders, mass plantings, or tree wells beneath large specimens. I planted mine next to lingonberry, blueberry, and raspberry shrubs; they all happily grow together! 

Evergreen Huckleberry Overview

Vaccinium ovatum with fruit in the forest
Plant Type Evergreen shrub
Family Ericaceae
Genus Vaccinium
Species ovatum
Native Area West Coast, Pacific Northwest
Exposure Full sun to full shade
Height 3-8’
Watering Requirements Average
Pests & Diseases Aphids, Witches’ Broom Rust, Leaf Spot
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Well-drained with low fertility
Hardiness Zone 7-9

What Is It?

Evergreen huckleberry is a member of the Vaccinium genus alongside other fruiting shrubs. There are deciduous huckleberries also native to the U.S., though they thrive in colder regions throughout the country. The evergreen type originates where temperatures are mild year-round with few winter frosts.

Native Area

A close-up shot of small upright branches of shrub in a well lit area
The plants are native to the West Coast and Pacific Northwest.

Growing wild from California through northern British Columbia, the shrub has a wide range of habitats it prefers. You’ll see it happily growing in mixed coniferous forests in Oregon, redwood forests in California, and at high elevations where temperatures are cool and moisture is abundant.

A good way to find this shrub in the wild is to look for other plants that grow alongside it. Native species like salal, Pacific rhododendron, and Western sword fern are abundant in the same environments as this huckleberry. They all prefer cool, moist winters, dry summers, and partial shade or full sun. 

Characteristics

A close-up macro shot of red leaves of a developing shrub showcasing the red colored leaves alongside its green foliage
Depending on the environmental conditions, the shrub differs in appearance.

This shrub differs in appearance depending on the environmental conditions. Sites with full sun and dry summers will lead to short, squat, and bushy specimens. Shadier sites beneath trees and at woodland’s edges form a more graceful stature; they grow arching stems that reach up and over.

All plants display reddish new growth in late winter and early spring. The triangular leaves turn bright green over time, creating a lovely contrast with red-green shifting foliage. Flowers appear shortly after new growth resumes. They’re white and urn-shaped like the blossoms from related plants in the Ericaceae family like blueberries, lingonberries, and manzanitas. 

In shady sites, an evergreen huckleberry may reach up to eight feet tall! It’ll stay short and squat in sunny, dry sites, remaining under five feet tall. The sunlight influences its overall appearance.

Planting

This blueberry relative thrives in a wide range of environments, from dry California forests to wet ones in the Pacific Northwest. Unlike most native shrubs, growing this one from seeds is an easy task! The seeds don’t require cold stratification, and they readily germinate shortly after the berries fall off the plant. 

Growing from Seed

An overhead shot of a person sowing seeds in a small pot
Plant the seeds in deep pots for ample root space.

Seeds are often available online and from specialty native plant nurseries. If your friend or neighbor has an evergreen huckleberry plant, ask them for a berry or two! Each berry has a cluster of seeds inside, giving you dozens of possible seedlings.

Once you attain your seeds, it’s time to prepare your seed starting station. Grow huckleberries in deep pots so there’s ample space for the taproots to grow. Give your seeds a one to three-month period of cold stratification before planting. Plant seeds a quarter inch deep in moist soil, and place the pots near a bright windowsill. Without natural light, grow lights work well for starting seeds indoors. 

The seeds should sprout after a month, though they may take longer to grow. The seedlings are slow-growing when young, and they need some time in their pots before they’re ready for transplanting. Wait until they have ample roots, stems, and leaves before moving them outdoors.

Transplanting

A shot of a person in the process of transplant a shrub in a deep hole in a well lit area outdoors
Transplant after 2 weeks of hardening off.

Like seed starting, transplanting potted huckleberries is straightforward! Start by hardening off your seedlings if you started them indoors. Hardening off is a process that allows tender plants to adapt to the outdoors before they move into their final homes. Place the potted plants on a balcony, patio, or porch with dappled sunlight, somewhere safe from harsh frosts or excessive heat.

It’s time to plant your evergreen huckleberry after two weeks of hardening off. Prepare the planting hole by digging as deep and twice as wide as the plant’s rootball. Place the shrub inside the hole, then backfill the soil until it reaches its base. You don’t want to cover the trunk, though you also want to ensure the roots are safe. Cover up to the root flare, where the roots branch off the main trunk. 

Water your specimen well, then wait! The shrub will display new growth after it adapts to its new home. Ensure the soil stays moist but not soggy for best results. Adding compost or a similar organic mulch on top will help the native huckleberry resist diseases, pests, and poor site conditions. 

How to Grow

After planting, some simple care ensures your shrub stays in tip-top shape throughout the seasons. This species is widely adaptable, growing well in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9. Give your plant what it needs, and it’ll give you bushels of edible berries each year!

Light

Four blueberries dangle from a red stem, catching sunlight. Lush green leaves surround the berries, creating a natural contrast. The play of light enhances the rich blue hue of the berries.
They do best in partial shade.

Grant your specimen full sun or partial shade, with at least three to six hours of direct sunlight. It’ll perform well in dappled sunlight, so long as it’s for most of the day. Most huckleberries grow under airy tree canopies in forests where some direct sunlight reaches the floor.

Others sprout in sunny areas along woodland edges and open forests in California. Shrubs that receive more sunlight will need more water, and they typically grow short, squat, and dense. This protects them from the sun; the dense foliage blocks sunlight from tender inner branches. 

Water

A gardener waters a leafy green plant with a hose, the water spraying in a wide arc, glistening in the sunlight, while the leaves absorb the moisture, their shiny surfaces catching the droplets.
The shrub prefers consistent moisture.

This species prefers consistent moisture to grow well, though it survives summer droughts easily after it adapts in your garden. Established specimens thrive in their native range without additional irrigation. Aim to water new transplants once their soil surface dries, about every week or two during the growing season. 

Sites outside the native range may need additional irrigation, depending on the garden and its conditions. Huckleberries prefer high humidity levels, ample moisture, and mild temperatures. Ensuring the soil stays consistently moist will avert these growing problems. 

Soil

A hand holds a handful of dark, crumbly leaf mold compost, showing its rich texture and organic matter.
A well-draining soil that is top-dressed with organic material is best for the plants.

Well-drained soil is best for this species. Dense clay can cause moisture buildup and stagnant water that may cause the taproot to rot. Sandy sites allow the taproot to stay moist, but not soggy. Another easy way to achieve well-drained soil is to add compost or leaf mold to the site—these amendments create porous, free-draining dirt as they commingle with soil particles.

Because they prefer sandy sites, huckleberries don’t need many nutrients that other plants crave in large quantities. They’re perfect for infertile sites with poor soils. They also like acidic earth, like blueberries, rhododendrons, and heathers. Aim for their soil to be acidic with a pH between 4.3 to 5.2.

Fertilizing

A hand holds brown soil, fingers gently pressing the earth, with a blurred background of more soil.
Little to no fertilizer is needed, but balanced compost and leaf mold can support growth.

Requiring few nutrients, these plants will thrive with little to no fertilizer applications. Old potted specimens will benefit from fertilizer bi-monthly during the growing season. Use a well-balanced organic fertilizer that works well with native plants. Those with mycorrhizal fungi are superb, as the fungi help new plantings adapt and thrive. 

In-ground plantings don’t often need fertilizer. Instead, add compost or leaf mold around the roots twice annually. The organic matter decomposes into rich humus, a beneficial soil particle that huckleberries love growing in. 

Maintenance

A shot of a hand pruner with black handles being used to prune woody stems or branches
Pruning is only done to maintain shape and size.

“Low-maintenance” on a label is a good indicator of whether I’ll like a plant. High-maintenance species require too much care and have more chances of dying! The evergreen huckleberry is different—it thrives without maintenance, growing well without annual pruning. You may prune to size if you prefer a smaller stature, doing so after the berries fall off in late summer and early fall. 

Resource managers may choose to prune after harvesting to stimulate new growth. This isn’t completely necessary, but it can help with fruit production next season.

Propagation

Happy, healthy shrubs offer limitless opportunities for propagation! Whether you’d prefer seed saving or taking cuttings, each method has benefits and drawbacks. Let’s explore which works best for you and your garden.

Cuttings

An overhead shot of several green foliage of a shrub in a well lit area
Take 4 to 6-inch cuttings with healthy foliage and cut off the lower leaves.

Cuttings work well during the cool months when the shrubs are dormant. Take four to six-inch cuttings with healthy foliage, then strip them of the lower leaves. Place them in cube pots with well-draining potting soil, watering them well so they stay moist.

Not all of your cuttings will sprout roots, but most will. They’ll take weeks to months so you’ll need patience! Keep them moist, not soggy, and ensure they have bright indirect or dappled sunlight while rooting. Adding a humidity dome boosts sprouting rates, though it’s unnecessary in cool, mild climates with high humidity. 

Seed Saving

An overhead shot of a person holding a pile for ripe fruits over a rustic wooden log surface outdoors
Collect ripe fruits and mash them to separate the pulp from the seeds.

Seed saving is best for those gardeners looking for a fun experiment! It takes just as long as rooting cuttings, and there’s a high likelihood you’ll grow seedlings that are more disease and pest-resistant than the clones cuttings produce. Clones have the same genes as their parent plants, while seedlings contain new genetic combinations that may work better than the parent’s.

To save seeds, start by collecting ripe berries off the shrubs from late summer through early fall. Mash the berries, then mix them in a cup of water. The water should separate the pulp from the seeds so you can drain the pulp, leaving the seeds at the bottom of the cup. 

Let the seeds dry, then store them in a cool, dark location for a year or two until you’re ready to plant them. Then, follow the instructions above under “Growing from Seed” to sprout your genetically unique seedlings! 

Common Problems

With few issues and little maintenance, it’s no wonder this native huckleberry is gaining popularity in ornamental and edible gardens. Watch for the rare instances of aphids, broom rust, and leaf spot. 

Pests

Small, soft-bodied aphids cluster on the plant's stem, feeding on the sap, surrounded by a sticky residue.
These sap-suckers are the common and primary pest of the plant.

Aphids are the primary pest of this shrub. Get rid of them by spraying the evergreen huckleberry daily until they disappear. Although not a true “pest,” bears love huckleberries! You may see them munching on the berries if you live near where they live. Leave them be and watch them from a distance; the fruits are an important part of their diets. 

Diseases

An overhead shot of a stem of a shrub with its leaves affected with a disease
The plant is vulnerable to fungal diseases that are caused by improper conditions.

Witches’ broom rust and leaf spot are the two most common pathogens you’ll see on evergreen huckleberries. They appear on specimens in less-than-desirable conditions. Unfortunately, infected plants must be removed when symptoms present themselves, as the disease cannot be controlled otherwise.

Witches’ broom rust manifests as stems that sprout close to each other en masse, forming a “witch’s broom” of sorts. The stems swell up as a disease-causing fungus spreads and reproduces in the branches. Pruning does little to combat the fungus, as the rust grows again the next year when the climate is favorable.

Leaf spot is another disease fungi cause. You’ll see black spots on otherwise healthy leaves. Remove any that have these black spots, whether they’re on the plant or the ground. Grant your specimens enough space during planting to discourage the leaf spot fungi from entering your garden. 

Key Takeaways

A close-up of a plant displaying ripe black and green fruits amidst its small leaves.
The plants are essential in revitalizing local environments.
  • Native shrubs are essential for revitalizing our local environments! Planting this species helps local birds, bees, and bears in the western U.S. 
  • An evergreen huckleberry will last many years, especially when you plant it where it has ample space, sunlight, and drainage.
  • Well-drained soil is key to growing success. To boost drainage rates in soggy and dense sites, add compost, leaf mold, perlite, or sand.
  • Full sun or partial shade is best—more sun leads to a shorter, thirsty plant, while less light creates a graceful, arching specimen with low moisture needs.
  • When in doubt, collect seeds! With seeds, you can propagate more plants in case your original specimen dies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat evergreen huckleberries?

Yes, you can! These plants produce sweet-tart edible berries that taste amazing in smoothies, fruit bowls, and desserts. Preserve them by making jam or jelly with canning supplies.

When do evergreen huckleberries bloom?

Most specimens start flowering in spring as temperatures warm and days lengthen. After bees pollinate the flowers, they’ll morph into berries over the summer.

Where is best to get an evergreen huckleberry?

Find this specimen available as a potted plant at native plant nurseries. If your friend has one, you can collect cuttings or seeds from them. The seeds are sometimes available at specialty nurseries, though you can also find them online.

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