Vaccinium ovatum

Vaccinium ovatum

Common name: evergreen huckleberry, winter huckleberry

Family: Ericaceae

Leaf: shiny, alternate, egg-shaped leaves, 2-3cm long, finely serrated edges, new growth has a reddish tint

Flowers: urn-shaped white to lightish pink flowers, blooming April to May.

Fruit: round, edible black berries, up to 1 cm in diameter.

Habit: evergreen shrub; Form: mounding, irregular, oval

Height: up to 6'

Culture: Grows well in shade or sun and likes soils leaning towards acidic. In the wild it is generally an understory plant. Moist, loamy, well-drained soils are best. Does well with protection from winds. Hardy in USDA zones 3-7.

Uses: understory planting, foundation planting, woodland garden.

Origin: Western North America: British Columbia to California

emergent foliage