Diablo Ninebark vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Diablo Ninebark vs Mountain Huckleberry

Physocarpus opulifolius Diablo

Vaccinium membranaceum

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Diablo Ninebark
Mountain Huckleberry

Diablo Ninebark is a small, low maintenance, multi-stemmed shrub, that is used to add texture or color to any yard. This plant grows dark purple leaves in the spring and grows slightly faster than Common Ninebark. It features flaky red to brown bark, clusters of white flowers, and long, maple-like leaves. Diablo Ninebark can make a dense and colorful hedge, or it can be an attractive ornamental by itself.

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.

Diablo Ninebark Quick Facts

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 5a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: reddish-purple
Fall colour: yellow
Bark: brown to red, exfoliating
Flowers: white
Berries: red
Berries: dark purple
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Harvest: mid to late summer
Seeds: inflated seed capsules
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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