Phantom Hydrangea vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Phantom Hydrangea vs Mountain Huckleberry

Hydrangea paniculata Phantom

Vaccinium membranaceum

ONLY AVAILABLE BY CONTRACT GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Phantom Hydrangea
Mountain Huckleberry

Phantom Hydrangea is a striking deciduous shrub with impressive blooms. It is multi-stemmed and produces pale green flowers that fade to white and soft pink as they mature. These flower clusters can reach up to 15” (40cm) long and while other shrubs will droop from the flowers' weight, Phantom Hydrangea has sturdy stems that support them.

This adaptable shrub will make a beautiful addition to your yard as a flowering hedge or as an ornamental plant on its own. Try pruning the flowers after they are spent to get even larger flower heads.

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.

Phantom Hydrangea Quick Facts

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3b
Zone: 5a
Height: 1.8 m (6 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
Berries: dark purple
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Harvest: mid to late summer
Flowers: large white flower clusters
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high




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