A Grower Perspective

An oft-requested plant: an evergreen shrub that looks attractive year-round and is highly adaptable, thriving in the deep shade or hot sun. To answer your question, vaccinium ovatum would respond “I’m your huckleberry.”

This is a very smart-looking shrub, and it is both ornamental and edible. It has ovate, dark green leaves, burgundy new growth, white bell-shaped flowers in the spring and dark purple berries that appear in late summer. The eventual size of this shrub depends heavily on the light it receives. In full sun it will grow about 3 feet high and wide. In full shade, it can reach a high and width of ten feet. As for soil requirements, this plant likes acidic, well drained soil like its kin the blueberry.

As a native to the Pacific Coast, from California to Canada, evergreen huckleberry will be well-suited to your garden. It will look great when left to its own devices as a natural, free form hedge. In the shade garden, plant with other natives like sword fern and vine maple. In sunny spots, plant with ‘Sunshine Blue’ blueberry and eucalyptus.