Vaccinium parvifolium |
Native Region: Pacific Northwest (Haida Gwaii collected)
Zone Range: 5-9
Preferred Climate: Full sun/dappled shade; well draining average soil.
Harvest Date: Monday 12 September, 2011
Seed count: 150-200
Description:
A native deciduous shrub with bearing of juicy sweet/tangy red fruits. Used extensively by the Haida for countless generations as food. Awesome huckleberry pancakes! Can grow to 4 meters with equal spread. Very fine oblong paper thin leaves. Forms very hard woody stems over time. Wide bell shaped pinkish flowers are small but attracts many native bees. Pale yellow Autumn colour.
Notes:
In sunny locations, the plant takes on an upright, columnar form and are incredibly productive with repeated harvests over the summer. In shady sites, the form is more relaxed, layered and spreading (to catch more light coming through the forest canopy). Berries (7-10 mm) are delicious, sweet-tart and juicy. I leave most of my berries for the birds.
Cultivation:
Soak seed 24 hours. Surface sow in seeding medium of equal parts sand and peat. Tamp firm. Mist. Keep moist. Keep seedbed shaded. Cold stratify 60-90 days. Expose to Spring conditions for germination. Keep seedling shaded.
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