Patriot Blueberry vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Patriot Blueberry vs Mountain Huckleberry

Vaccinium membranaceum

Vaccinium x Patriot

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Mountain Huckleberry
Patriot Blueberry

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.

The Patriot Blueberry offers the largest fruit of all the early season blueberries and thrives in an acidic soil with a low pH. With fruit that can easily grow to the size of a quarter, you'll be known for having the largest blueberries for miles. The Patriot Blueberry is ideal for fresh eating, baking, and preserving. Cold hardy and self-pollinating, the Patriot Blueberry is also resistant to root rot.

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Patriot Blueberry Quick Facts

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


Fall colour: red to deep red
Flowers: white, pink tinged
Berries: dark purple
Berries: edible blue
Firmness: firm
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Flavor: sweet, mild
Harvest: mid to late summer
Harvest: July
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, ON, YT, NT
Other Names: big huckleberry, black huckleberry, tall bilberry, thinleaf huckleberry
Other Names: patriot highbush blueberry, patriot northern highbush blueberry