Mountain Huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) is a native berry shrub that is not only ornamental, but prized as one of the most delicious wild berry plants in the western United States! Mountain Huckleberry features simple, attractive pale green leaves throughout the season until fall, when they will turn spectacular shades of red and purple. Small, creamy pink flowers bloom in the spring and turn into sweet, dark purple berries that are not only mouthwatering, but high in vitamins and antioxidants. Unfortunately, Mountain Huckleberry is just as notorious for its difficulty to cultivate as it is famous for its delectable fruit. To increase success, we recommend growing it in a raised bed to control soil conditions since it requires slightly acidic, well-drained soil free of any compaction. Mix basic raised bed soil with an acidic soil mix and compost. If your compost does not include bark and woody plants, add some soil pep or other well-composted bark product for best results. You will usually get the best fruit production when placed in an area where the plant receives about 70% sunlight and regular summer watering. The berries are very attractive to birds, so cover with netting if you'd like to harvest the berries. The plant is slower to establish and it might be a couple years before it begins to regularly produce. If you can be patient, the results are worth the wait! 
Expected 2025 Availability- May or June
Photo Credit: Julie and Katja Schulz