Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Mountain Huckleberry

Vaccinium membranaceum

Malus x adstringens Thunderchild

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Mountain Huckleberry
Thunderchild Flowering Crab

Mountain Huckleberry is a small shrub known for its tart to sweet berries. The berries range from purple-black to red-black, and can be eaten fresh or used in jams and syrups. It is a plant native to Alberta and the berries are frequently enjoyed by both people and wildlife.

In traditional Indigenous fire management practices, berry patches were burned after harvest. This would reduce the invasion of other plants allowing the Mountain Huckleberry to thrive. Its foliage has low flammability and can survive low severity fires, and even if destroyed they regrow from the roots.

Note: Mountain Huckleberry requires specific soil conditions. They need moist, well-drained, acidic soil with a pH around 5.5.

Thunderchild Flowering Crab is a hybrid crab apple known for its attractive and fragrant dark pink blossoms and deep purple mature leaves.

Tree farmers will find this hybrid appealing as a pollinator for other apples, while home growers will enjoy the red pome's ability to attract flocks of Cedar Waxwings in the early spring.

This species is reportedly resistant to fireblight.

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Thunderchild Flowering Crab Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $29.99
Zone: 5a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: none


Foliage: dark purple leaves
Fall colour: dark red
Flowers: dark pink blossoms
Fruit: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Berries: dark purple
Berries: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, ON, YT, NT
Other Names: big huckleberry, black huckleberry, tall bilberry, thinleaf huckleberry