Thimbleberry vs Grouseberry - TreeTime.ca

Thimbleberry vs Grouseberry

Vaccinium scoparium

Rubus parviflorus

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Grouseberry
Thimbleberry

Grouseberry is a native, low-growing deciduous shrub known for its edible red berries. In early summer, it produces small, urn-shaped flowers ranging from white to pink that attract bees and other pollinators. The berries provide an important food source for many types of wildlife, including game birds such as grouse, which gives the plant its common name. People can also enjoy the berries fresh or in baked goods, though they can be difficult to harvest in large quantities.

Spreading by rhizomes, Grouseberry forms dense, broom-like mats that help stabilize soil and prevent erosion, while also providing cover for ground-nesting wildlife. It is commonly found beneath conifers in open forests, subalpine meadows, and occasionally on rocky slopes in mountainous regions. It is well-suited for naturalization, ecological restoration, and soil stabilization projects.

Thimbleberry is an ornamental shrub with large, green maple-like-leaves. Flowers are attractive, fragrant, and turn into red-raspberry-like berries. The berries are good for jams, cakes, breads, muffins etc. If you remove the berry, the core resembles a thimble, giving this shrub its namesake.

Grouseberry Quick Facts

Thimbleberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 4a
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: shade, partial shade
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: low growing, colony-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: Soft leaves up to 8 inches across
Fall colour: reddish
Fall colour: gold
Flowers: small pink, bell-shaped
Flowers: white, showy
Bloom time: spring
Berries: small, bright red, edible
Berries: edible, red, similar to raspberries
Flavor: tart
Harvest: summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC
Native to: AB, BC, ON
Other Names: dwarf red whortleberry, grouse whortleberry, little-leaved huckleberry, red alpine blueberry, small-leaved huckleberry
Other Names: thimbleberry, western thimbleberry