Staghorn Sumac vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Staghorn Sumac vs Mountain Huckleberry

Rhus typhina

Vaccinium membranaceum

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NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Staghorn Sumac
Mountain Huckleberry

Staghorn Sumac is a popular ornamental shrub with red velvet like antlers that produce seeds that provide nice winter interest for landscapers and gardeners.

This low-maintenance plant is a great addition to any garden it is also used in shelterbelts.

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.

Staghorn Sumac Quick Facts

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 5a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: high


Flowers: small, green-yellow
Fruit: small, red
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, PE
Native to: AB, BC, ON, YT, NT
Other Names: stags horn sumach, velvet sumac
Other Names: big huckleberry, black huckleberry, tall bilberry, thinleaf huckleberry