Wild Strawberry vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Wild Strawberry vs Mountain Huckleberry

Vaccinium membranaceum

Fragaria virginiana

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Mountain Huckleberry
Wild Strawberry

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.

Often called the Woodland Strawberry, the Wild Strawberry produces a sweet, edible red berry all throughout the later spring and summer. This compact, stemless plant spreads mostly through the means of runners, and grows quickly.

Flowers and fruit of the Wild Strawberry are usually present simultaneously throughout the summer. This variety is native to North America, which gives it its name.

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Wild Strawberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $2.49 - SAVE UP TO 38%
Zone: 5a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Height: 0.1 m (0.3 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Fall colour: red to purple
Flowers: white
Fruit: small
Berries: dark purple
Berries: sweet
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, ON, YT, NT
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: big huckleberry, black huckleberry, tall bilberry, thinleaf huckleberry
Other Names: common strawberry, mountain strawberry, virginia strawberry