Black Raspberry vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Black Raspberry vs Mountain Huckleberry

Vaccinium membranaceum

Rubus occidentalis

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Mountain Huckleberry
Black Raspberry

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 Black Raspberry is a multi-stemmed shrub that produces edible red berries that deepen to black as they mature. The berries are flavorful and are great for fresh eating and preserves. Black Raspberry shrubs bloom in late spring with white, rose-like flowers and attract many pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Black Raspberries are floricanes primarily fruiting on second year canes. Each spring cut back all two-year old canes, leaving only the last year’s growth.

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Black Raspberry 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: any
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Berries: dark purple
Berries: red to black
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: ON, QC, NB
Other Names: big huckleberry, black huckleberry, tall bilberry, thinleaf huckleberry
Other Names: bears eye blackberry, black cap, scotch cap