Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The Black Huckleberry is an American native that is simply adored by local wildlife. Botanically named, Gaylussacia baccata, this deciduous shrub produces small urn-shaped flowers in spring that mature into red-purple berries. Its small green leaves turn a delightful shade of orange-red in the autumn before falling as the temperatures drop. This shrub remains compact at 1 to 3 feet tall.
The Black Huckleberry is a hardy shrub that is suitable for growing in zones 3 to 7. Requiring little ongoing care, it is most certainly low maintenance. Black Huckleberry is perfect for growing in a wildlife area or for adding to a border. It can also be used to form a low and informal hedge.
Black Huckleberry Care
The best fruits are produced when the Black Huckleberry is grown in partial or dappled shade. Full sun is tolerated but fruiting may be limited. A sandy or rocky soil that is free draining and slightly acidic is considered its ideal soil. Frequent irrigation is needed on planting and until it becomes established. From then on, watering is recommended when the fruits appear to encourage them to swell. Supplementary fertilizer is not usually required.
As a slow-growing shrub, the Black Huckleberry does not need much pruning. However, dead or diseased material can be pruned away when the plant is dormant in winter.
Black Huckleberry Spacing
In the right conditions, the Black Huckleberry can grow to a maximum size of 1 to 3 feet tall and wide. If planting multiple shrubs, a spacing of 3 to 4 feet between plants will give them space to mature.
Black Huckleberry Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 7 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Shade to Part Shade (0-4 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 1-3 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 1-3 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink
- Flower Description
- Pink
- Bloom Time
- Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Herbaceous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Black Huckleberry
- Also Known As
- Huckleberry
- Botanical Name
- Gaylussacia baccata
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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