Vaccinium parvifolium, red huckleberry
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Deciduous Shrubs

Vaccinium parvifolium

red huckleberry

Ericaceae

Alaska south through BC, Washington, Oregon to California; moist coniferous and mixed forest understories

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height3-12 feet (0.9-3.7 m)
Width3-8 feet (0.9-2.4 m)
Maturity10 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Drought Tolerant
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

An upright, deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub in the family Ericaceae, native to moist coniferous and mixed forest understories from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon to California — one of the most characteristic and beloved shrubs of Pacific Northwest old-growth and second-growth forests. The specific epithet parvifolium means 'small-leaved.' Plants grow 3–12 feet (0.9–3.7 m) tall with a distinctive, highly branched, vase-like to spreading form. The most immediately diagnostic character is the BRIGHT GREEN, ANGULAR, RIDGED STEMS that remain green year-round even after leaf drop in winter — no other common native PNW shrub has this bright-green-stemmed character. The alternate, oval to elliptic leaves are small, 0.4–1 inch (10–25 mm) long, bright green, and entire or very finely toothed. Red huckleberry has a strong ecological association with DECAYING NURSE LOGS AND STUMPS — plants frequently establish and grow directly from the top of fallen logs or on old stumps, often with roots extending down the log sides, a reliable habitat indicator in the field. From April through June, small, pale pink to white, urn-shaped flowers 0.2 inch (5 mm) hang singly from the leaf axils. The fruits — bright, translucent, red berries 0.3–0.4 inch (8–10 mm) — ripen individually (not in clusters) from July through September. The berries are highly tart, intensely flavored, and much prized for eating fresh and in jams, pies, and syrups. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Native to moist coniferous and mixed forest understories from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon to California.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a native understory shrub in Pacific Northwest woodland and forest gardens, beneath large conifers and on partially shaded slopes, at 4–6 foot (1.2–1.8 m) spacing. The year-round bright green angular stems, April–June urn-shaped flowers, and intensely flavored July–September red berries provide multi-season interest. Essential habitat for berry-eating birds including varied thrushes and Swainson's thrushes. The edible berries, nurse log ecology, and distinctive green stems make this one of the most educationally distinctive native PNW shrubs. Combines with Oxalis oregana, Tiarella trifoliata, and Polypodium glycyrrhiza in native PNW forest understory plantings.

How to Identify

Identified by two immediately distinctive characters: (1) BRIGHT GREEN ANGULAR RIDGED STEMS — remain green year-round even after leaf drop in winter; no other common native PNW shrub has bright-green stems (parvifolium = 'small-leaved'); (2) FREQUENT ASSOCIATION WITH NURSE LOGS AND STUMPS — plants commonly establish and grow directly from decaying logs and old stumps, often with roots running down the log sides. Small oval to elliptic leaves 0.4–1 inch, bright green, entire or finely toothed. Bright TRANSLUCENT RED BERRIES 0.3–0.4 inch ripening SINGLY in leaf axils July–Sept — not in clusters. Small urn-shaped pale pink to white flowers April–June.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 12'
Width/Spread3' - 8'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink
white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red
orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks
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Spring
Blooms April through June, producing small, pale pink to white, urn-shaped flowers 0.2 inch (5 mm) hanging singly from the leaf axils — characteristic of the Ericaceae family. Pollinated by bumblebees. Bright, translucent, intensely red berries ripen July through September, hanging singly from the leaf axils. Bears, robins, varied thrushes, cedar waxwings, Swainson's thrushes, and other birds consume the berries extensively. Berries are among the most flavorful and prized of all native PNW fruits.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pale pink to white; urn-shaped 0.2 inch; SINGLY in leaf axils; Apr–Jun; BRIGHT TRANSLUCENT RED BERRIES 0.3–0.4 inch ripening SINGLY Jul–Sept; intensely tart/flavorful; NURSE LOG ASSOCIATION — commonly establishes directly from decaying logs and stumps; premier bird food (varied thrushes/Swainson's thrushes/waxwings/bears); rewrote curly-brace marketing prose

Foliage Description

bright green; small oval to elliptic 0.4–1 inch; entire or very finely toothed; BRIGHT GREEN ANGULAR RIDGED STEMS year-round even after leaf drop — primary ID character; parvifolium = 'small-leaved'; DATA CORRECTIONS: genus trailing space; species null

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Requires 1-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.0(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loampeatsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-10 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade to full shade in moist, humus-rich, strongly acidic soil with a pH of 4.5–6.0. Requires well-drained but consistently moist, highly organic, acidic conditions — best established in humus-rich forest soil or amended with bark, compost, or peat. Grows readily from nurse log habitat. Slow-growing. Drought-tolerant once established in shaded conditions with organic-rich soil. Not suited to alkaline or compacted soils.

Pruning

Minimal pruning required. Remove dead or crossing branches in late winter. Light shaping possible but natural form is attractive. The distinctive green stems are ornamental year-round — avoid cutting unless necessary.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic