Spicebush vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Spicebush vs Mountain Huckleberry

Vaccinium membranaceum

Lindera benzoin

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NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Mountain Huckleberry
Spicebush

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 Spicebush is an unique ornamental shrub that blooms with vibrant yellow flowers and bright green foliage. The foliage goes from green to yellow in the autumn, adding fall interest to your garden.The plant is dioecious, meaning that you will need male and female plants in order to harvest it’s red berries. Berries are only produced on female plants. The berries themselves aren’t that sweet, and are mostly enjoyed by birds and other wildlife.

The Spicebush, also commonly known as Common Spicebush, Northern Spicebush, Wild Allspice, and Benjamin Bush, is named after its distinctive spicy-sweet fragrance that comes from the flowers.

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Spicebush Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 4a
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: any
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: dark purple
Berries: red
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Harvest: mid to late summer
Flowers: greenish yellow
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium




Other Names: big huckleberry, black huckleberry, tall bilberry, thinleaf huckleberry
Other Names: benjamin bush, common spicebush, northern spicebush, wild allspice