Russian White Mulberry vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Russian White Mulberry vs Mountain Huckleberry

Morus alba tatarica

Vaccinium membranaceum

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Russian White Mulberry
Mountain Huckleberry

Russian White Mulberry is a cold hardy and adaptable tree. It is a great choice for the impatient gardener as it reaches its mature height in a short period of time and has an attractive, dense, and rounded form.

Odd looking berries are produced among a backdrop of glossy, deep green foliage. The blackberry-esque berries ripen slowly over the season, ranging in color from white, pink, and purple-violet. While the berries are not well regarded for fresh eating, they have made tasty jams and preserves.

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.

Russian White Mulberry Quick Facts

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 5a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: white, tart, nutritious and sweet
Berries: dark purple
Flavor: light sweet taste
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Harvest: mid to late summer
Flowers: white
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: high




Other Names: big huckleberry, black huckleberry, tall bilberry, thinleaf huckleberry