Evergreen Huckleberry
Vaccinium ovatum
Also listed as Metagonia ovata, Metagonia pyxothamnus
Also known as California Huckleberry, Winter Huckleberry, Shot Huckleberry
Climate Match for your location
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A native Pacific Northwest shrub with glossy evergreen leaves and small bell-shaped white or pink flowers followed by dark blue edible berries. It thrives in partial shade and moist, acidic soils, making it ideal for woodland gardens.
Why grow it
Evergreen huckleberry produces fruit reliably in deeper shade than most edible berries, making it useful where light is limited. Its persistent foliage and compact habit offer winter interest and screening value beyond the summer harvest window. In acidic woodland settings, it typically requires less amendment and maintenance than introduced berry species.
Watch out for
Establishment can be slow in the first year or two, and plants may take several seasons to reach productive fruiting. Deer browsing can suppress growth in areas with high populations, though established plants generally recover. In regions outside its native range, monitor for unexpected pest pressure or soil incompatibility, particularly in neutral or alkaline soils.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Pacific Northwest (California to British Columbia)
Native to: California, Oregon, Washington
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A native Pacific Northwest shrub with glossy evergreen leaves and small bell-shaped white or pink flowers followed by dark blue edible berries. It thrives in partial shade and moist, acidic soils, making it ideal for woodland gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Evergreen Huckleberry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Evergreen huckleberry produces fruit reliably in deeper shade than most edible berries, making it useful where light is limited. Its persistent foliage and compact habit offer winter interest and screening value beyond the summer harvest window. In acidic woodland settings, it typically requires less amendment and maintenance than introduced berry species.
Watch out for
Establishment can be slow in the first year or two, and plants may take several seasons to reach productive fruiting. Deer browsing can suppress growth in areas with high populations, though established plants generally recover. In regions outside its native range, monitor for unexpected pest pressure or soil incompatibility, particularly in neutral or alkaline soils.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Pacific Northwest (California to British Columbia)
Native to: California, Oregon, Washington
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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