Riverbank Grape vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Riverbank Grape vs Mountain Huckleberry

Vaccinium membranaceum

Vitis riparia

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Mountain Huckleberry
Riverbank Grape

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 Riverbank Grape, also known as the Frost Grape, or Wild Grape, is a cold-hardy variety that produces fragrant white flowers in the spring and then tart, purple grapes late in the summer.

The Riverbank Grape is a vigorous grower that attracts lots of wildlife, who enjoy the fruit and flowers. This plant is native to North America, and is also highly resistant to fungal diseases, making this a great addition to your city gardens. This plant does best with a trellis.

Note: We do not ship grape vines to BC due to regulatory restrictions from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Riverbank Grape Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: dark purple
Berries: purple
Firmness: firm
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Flavor: tart
Harvest: mid to late summer
Harvest: late summer
Flowers: fragrant white
Bark: yellow-red to brown
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: none




Other Names: big huckleberry, black huckleberry, tall bilberry, thinleaf huckleberry
Other Names: frost grape, wild grape