Northland Blueberry vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Northland Blueberry vs Mountain Huckleberry

Vaccinium x Northland

Vaccinium membranaceum

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Northland Blueberry
Mountain Huckleberry

Northland Blueberry is the hardiest of the half-high highbush blueberries. It's also the best looking. In fact, it is frequently planted as an ornamental. Northland Blueberry produces large quantities of medium-size berries that taste amazing but are on the softer side, which matters to some people.

You must also prune Northland Blueberry to maintain its health and productivity.

Note: Blueberries require very specific soil conditions. They need well-drained soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.0. If the starting pH of your soil is between 5.1 and 6.2 you can lower it by adding sulfur. We recommend against planting blueberries in soil with a starting pH greater than 6.2. Please do your own research before buying any blueberry plants.

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.

Northland Blueberry Quick Facts

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3b
Zone: 5a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: orange-red
Berries: large clusters of blue berries
Berries: dark purple
Fruit size: medium
Firmness: soft
Flavor: excellent
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Harvest: early to mid summer
Harvest: mid to late summer
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: high




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