Evergreen huckleberry is a shrub that is native to western North America. The berries are edible and have a sweet taste. The plant is also used for ornamental purposes.
Alternative name
- Blue huckleberry
- Cascade huckleberry
- Coastal huckleberry
- Olallieberry
- Pacific huckleberry
Good to Know
- Evergreen huckleberries are small, tart berries that grow on shrubs in the Pacific Northwest.
- Evergreen huckleberries are an important food source for bears, birds, and other wildlife.
- Evergreen huckleberries are also popular with humans and are often used in pies, jams, and other desserts.
- Evergreen huckleberries are a good source of Vitamin C and other nutrients.
- Evergreen huckleberries can be harvested from late summer through early fall.
- Evergreen huckleberry shrubs can be found in forests, meadows, and along roadsides.
- The best time to pick evergreen huckleberries is when they are dark purple and slightly soft to the touch.
- Evergreen huckleberries will stain your hands and clothes, so be sure to wear dark colors when picking them.
- Store evergreen huckleberries in the refrigerator, where they will keep for up to a week.
- If you can't find fresh evergreen huckleberries, you can often find them frozen or dried at specialty food stores.
Related plant:
Best Evergreen Shrubs
Growing Steps
- For evergreen huckleberry, first step is to find a plant. You can find evergreen huckleberry plants for sale at many nurseries and online retailers.
- Once you have found a plant, the next step is to prepare the planting hole. The hole should be twice the width and depth of the pot the plant comes in.
- After preparing the planting hole, it is time to plant the evergreen huckleberry. Gently remove the plant from its pot and place it in the planting hole.
- Once the plant is in the hole, backfill the hole with soil and water gently.
- The next step is to mulch around the base of the plant. This will help retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
- Now that the plant is mulched, the next step is to water regularly. Evergreen huckleberry plants like a moist, but not wet, soil. Water the plant when the top few inches of soil are dry.
- Fertilize evergreen huckleberry plants every few weeks during the growing season. A balanced fertilizer will work well.
- Prune evergreen huckleberry plants as needed to keep them tidy and under control.
- Evergreen huckleberry plants can produce fruit in as little as two years. Enjoy the delicious berries fresh or use them in recipes.
- Evergreen huckleberry plants are relatively low maintenance. With regular watering and fertilizing, they will continue to produce fruit for many years.
Related plant:
Evergreen Hedges
Soil Condition
About soil condition, evergreen huckleberry prefers a light to medium soil that is well-drained. It can tolerate a wide range of soils, including clay and sand. The soil should be neutral to slightly acidic.
Light requirement
Like the other huckleberry plants, the evergreen huckleberry requires full sun to partial shade in order to produce the most berries. The plant prefers well-drained, acidic soil and is tolerant of drought conditions.
Good Temperature
The temperature condition of evergreen huckleberry are that it can grow and survive in a wide range of temperature conditions. It can grow and survive in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a hardy plant that can adapt to different temperature conditions.
Ideal Humidity
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% or less. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to yellow and the plant will become stressed. If the humidity is too low, the leaves will turn brown and crispy.
Fertilizer Requirement
For the fertilizer, this kind of plant prefers acidic soils, so using a fertilizer with a low pH is best. You can find these at your local nursery or home improvement store. When it comes to the roots, Evergreen huckleberry plants have shallow roots, so be careful not to damage them when you're planting or doing other work in the area.
Light requirement
Pruning is an important part of huckleberry plant care. The best time to prune huckleberries is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. You can remove up to one-third of the plant's canes each year. Cut back the canes that are the oldest and weakest, and remove any that are diseased or damaged.
The Propagation
Propagation is typically done via softwood cuttings taken from the current year's growth. Cuttings should be 4-6 inches long and taken from the tips of the branches. The cuttings should be placed in a rooting medium such as perlite, vermiculite, or sand. Rooting hormone can be used to encourage root development. The cuttings should be kept moist and in a humid environment until roots have developed.
Growth Rate
Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the conditions of the site. The average growth rate for an evergreen huckleberry is about 10 to 18 inches (25 to 45 cm) per year. However, on good sites, with high levels of sunlight and moisture, growth rates can be as high as 24 inches (60 cm) per year.
Basic Problems
Common problems for this kind of plant plants are root rot, aphids, and powdery mildew. Root rot is caused by a fungus that attacks the roots of the plant, and can lead to plant death. Aphids are small insects that feed on the sap of the plant, and can cause damage to the leaves and stems. Powdery mildew is a fungus that attacks the leaves of the plant, and can cause them to turn yellow and fall off.
Growing Tips
- Remember to plant your evergreen huckleberry in an area that receives full sun.
- Water your plant regularly, especially during the hot summer months.
- Fertilize your plant every few months to keep it healthy and encourage growth.
- Prune your evergreen huckleberry plant regularly to encourage new growth and shape.
- Be sure to protect your plant from cold winter weather by covering it with a tarp or burlap.
- If you live in an area where deer are prevalent, you may need to take steps to keep them from eating your evergreen huckleberry plant.
- Rabbits can also be a problem for evergreen huckleberry plants, so take care to keep them away.
- Don't forget to mulch around your evergreen huckleberry plant to help conserve moisture and keep weeds at bay.
- Check your plant regularly for signs of pests or
Related Plants
- Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)
- Black Huckleberry (Vaccinium myrsinites)
- Dwarf Huckleberry (Vaccinium caespitosum)
- bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)
- Blueberry (Vaccinium cyanococcus)
- Whortleberry (Vaccinium uliginosum)
- crowberry (Empetrum nigrum)
- bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum)
- lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)
- cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos)
Source:
Evergreeen Huckleberry · University of Puget Sound
VACCINIUM OVATUM PURSH: THE EVERGREEN HUCKLEBERRY
CiteSeerX EVERGREEN HUCKLEBERRY - Pennsylvania
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
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