Ninebark vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Ninebark vs Mountain Huckleberry

Physocarpus opulifolius

Vaccinium membranaceum

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Ninebark
Mountain Huckleberry

Ninebark is a small, multi-stemmed shrub, that is used to add texture or colour to any yard.

It features flaky, cinnamon-brown bark, attractive white flowers, and long, maple-like leaves.

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.

Ninebark Quick Facts

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 5a
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: high


Flowers: small white clusters
Berries: small pink to purple berry like follicles
Berries: dark purple
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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