Michigan Huckleberry

The black huckleberry is a deciduous, stoloniferous and hardy ground cover plant. The summer foliage is olive green in color and an intense red in the autumn and long lasting through most of the winter months. The plants are drought resistant and grow best in rocky or sandy soils. The dense stem growth of the plants make a good hideout for birds and small animals, and the small black fruits are nutritious treats for them. The fruits of all the huckleberries are small and lack good flavor. Found locally in Hartmann’s, in Allegan County Michigan, growing amongst the low bush blueberry. The flowers are bell shaped and are pinkish in color. The clone is very ornamental in habit and exhibits a rich red fall color. The plants grow to a height of 12-15 inches and have good stoloniferous vigor. The black fruits are fairly abundant on the plants and considered to be consumed by animals. Hardiness Zones 4.