Vaccinium parvifolium

Common Names

Red Huckleberry, Red Bilberry, Red Whortleberry

Summary

Red huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium) is a Pacific Northwest native deciduous shrub with an erect to somewhat straggling habit, often growing on mossy, rotting logs or stumps in coastal forests, it reaches about 1 to 4 meters tall, has slender sharply angled green branches, small oval leaves, and solitary urn shaped flowers that are greenish white to pink, the bright red edible berries are about 6 to 10 millimeters in diameter and tart, and the plant is distinctive as the only native Vaccinium with red berries, with foliage that turns bright red in autumn and flowers that attract bees and hummingbirds, cultivation and use, prefers very acidic, lime free, well drained soil rich in humus, with steady moisture and tolerance for shade, woodland garden settings or sheltered, semi shaded positions suit it best, though fruiting improves in sun, and it often grows on decaying wood, propagation is possible by seed, layering, or softwood cuttings, and the plant is hardy to USDA Zone 5, edible berries are used fresh or in jams, pies, and jellies, while the shrub provides ornamental value and wildlife habitat and supports pollinators and other wildlife in appropriate landscapes

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-12 feet

Spread

5-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zone 5.

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full shade to partial shade; tolerates full sun and partial sun.

Soil Type

Acidic, well-drained, moist soil rich in organic matter (peat/leaf mold or rotting wood substrate).

Soil Drainage

Loamy, slightly acidic soil that is well-drained and kept moderately moist but not waterlogged.

Soil pH

4.5-6.5, optimal 5.0-5.5

Bloom Color

White to pinkish-white

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green, turning red in autumn

Fall Foliage Color

Red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow growth

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Attracts other pollinators