Red Huckleberry
Vaccinium parvifolium
Also known as Red Bilberry
Climate Match for your location
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A Pacific Northwest native shrub prized for its bright red berries and delicate pink flowers. It thrives in moist woodland conditions and provides excellent food for birds and wildlife.
Why grow it
Red huckleberry occupies a distinct ecological niche as a shade-tolerant, moist-site berry producer native to Pacific Northwest forests, making it useful where sunlight-demanding berry shrubs like highbush blueberry struggle. Unlike many cultivated berry species, it requires minimal fertilizer and pruning in appropriate conditions, though berry yields remain modest compared to improved blueberry cultivars. Its primary value lies in wildlife support and understory integration rather than commercial fruit production.
Watch out for
This species prefers consistently moist but well-draining soil and struggles in dry conditions or heavy clay without soil amendment. Container-grown plants may require regular watering during establishment, and transplants can take 2-3 years to reach productive maturity.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington)
Native to: Alaska, 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 Pacific Northwest native shrub prized for its bright red berries and delicate pink flowers. It thrives in moist woodland conditions and provides excellent food for birds and wildlife.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Red Huckleberry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Red huckleberry occupies a distinct ecological niche as a shade-tolerant, moist-site berry producer native to Pacific Northwest forests, making it useful where sunlight-demanding berry shrubs like highbush blueberry struggle. Unlike many cultivated berry species, it requires minimal fertilizer and pruning in appropriate conditions, though berry yields remain modest compared to improved blueberry cultivars. Its primary value lies in wildlife support and understory integration rather than commercial fruit production.
Watch out for
This species prefers consistently moist but well-draining soil and struggles in dry conditions or heavy clay without soil amendment. Container-grown plants may require regular watering during establishment, and transplants can take 2-3 years to reach productive maturity.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington)
Native to: Alaska, 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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