Common Caragana vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Common Caragana vs Mountain Huckleberry

Caragana arborescens

Vaccinium membranaceum

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Common Caragana
Mountain Huckleberry

Common Caragana is a fast growing shrub that's known for its exceptional hardiness and drought tolerance. Although it's most commonly planted in shelterbelts, Common Caragana is also an excellent hedge or feature shrub.

Note: in warmer areas, this species can be difficult to contain once planted. Use the right plant in the right place.

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.

Common Caragana Quick Facts

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 5a
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Flowers: yellow, in spring
Fruit: pod like fruits
Berries: dark purple
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no

In row spacing: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC, ON, YT, NT
Other Names: black karagana, caragana, pea tree, siberian pea shrub, yellow acacia
Other Names: big huckleberry, black huckleberry, tall bilberry, thinleaf huckleberry