Blue Boy Clematis vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Blue Boy Clematis vs Mountain Huckleberry

Clematis integrifolia Blue Boy

Vaccinium membranaceum

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Blue Boy Clematis
Mountain Huckleberry

Blue Boy Clematis is a cold-hardy, fast growing, woody climbing vine. Hundreds of stunning steel-blue bell shaped flowers adorn the vine throughout the summer that droop and appear to hang in the air. The fibrous stems spread and create a fan-like symmetry shape.

This species will do best with support from a trellis, fence, or even other shrubs or tree stumps.

The Blue Boy Clematis was developed in Manitoba, Canada in 1947 by famous breeder Frank L. Skinner by crossing C. integrifolia x C. viticella, but it didn’t gain popularity until the 1990’s.

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.

Blue Boy Clematis Quick Facts

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 5a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: yes
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: dark purple
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Harvest: mid to late summer
Flowers: steel blue
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