Description
A distinguished deciduous shrub and denizen of lush forest, red huckleberry is native to California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and British Columbia. It can be found growing in redwood forest, red fir forest, and mixed conifer forest generally at low to mid elevations, often growing on decaying logs in open to fairly dense forest. This species is often referred to by the additional common names red bilberry or red whortleberry. Red huckleberry is a member of the heath family (Ericaceae). It prefers sandy or loamy soils and does not grow well in clay soil. The height ranges from 3′-12′ tall, but it generally grows in the 4′-7′ range. Red huckleberry has greenish or whitish-pink, urn-shaped flowers that bloom in the spring and are attractive to a wide variety of pollinators. Yummy red fruit ripens July-August, eaten by wildlife and humans alike. Does best in a woodland garden with part shade and rich soil. Parvifolium means small-leaved, and this species is named this because of the small, green, oval leaves.
Red huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium) seed packets contain approximately 430 seeds.
Seed Germination Instructions
Seed may not need any pretreatment, but germination may be aided with 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow seeds outside in fall to early winter.
