Big Huckleberry

Vaccinium membranaceum

Ericaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · native

Last updated

Big huckleberry (mountain huckleberry, thinleaf huckleberry) is a native broadleaf shrub reaching 1-5 ft with multiple stems and semi-erect form. It produces purple flowers and black edible berries. Distribution spans Alaska through the northern Rockies to California and eastward.

Big huckleberry is hardy in zones 5a-8b and prefers sun to part shade with wet-tolerant soil (pH 4.5-5.6). Growth is moderate with low moisture needs once established. Long lifespan and notably low drought tolerance suit it to naturally moist, high-precipitation environments.

Plant Profile

Size & Form

Height
1–5 ft
Growth Rate
Moderate
Size at 20 yr
4 ft
Lifespan
Long-lived

Site Requirements

Light
Sun to Part Shade
Soil Drainage
Wet Tolerant
Soil pH
4.5-5.6
Water
Low
Drought Tolerance
Low
Hardiness
Zones 5a–8b

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time
june to july
Origin
Pacific Northwest native
Watch for this season
RustHigh

Uredinial Stage (Summer)

Verticillium WiltHigh

Root Colonization Period

Armillaria Root RotModerate

Active Below-ground Growth

Bacterial CankerModerate

Dead Bud and Summer Dieback

+ 2 more — see full disease and pest lists below

Diseases: Regionally Documented (41)

Alternaria spp Alternaria Fruit Rot Armillaria spp. — primarily A Armillaria Root Rot Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae Bacterial Canker Botrytis Blight Chemical Injury Rhizobium radiobacter (formerly Agrobacterium tumefaciens) Crown Gall Godronia cassandrae Fusicoccum Canker (Godronia Canker) Incorrect soil pH Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi Mummy Berry Xiphinema americanum and related species Nematode, Dagger Pratylenchus penetrans (primary) and P Nematode, Root-lesion Paratrichodorus renifer Nematode, Stubby-root Colletotrichum spp. Ripe Rot (Anthracnose) Symptom category — not a single disease Root Rot Multiple genera (Melampsoridium, Thekopsora, Naohidemyces... Rust Blueberry scorch virus (BlScV) Scorch Blueberry shock virus (BlShV) Shock Chondrostereum purpureum Silver Leaf Botryosphaeria corticis Stem Canker Multiple fungal species cause twig blight on different ho... Twig Blight Sporocadus lichenicola Twig Canker Verticillium dahliae Verticillium Wilt Blueberry mosaic virus and related viruses Virus Diseases Gymnosporangium spp. [VERIFY: hosts inconsistent with G Witches' Broom Rust Botryosphaeria spp. Botryosphaeria Fruit Rot and Berry Speckle Abiotic (symptom) Cottonball Phyllosticta cotoneastri (primary); Entomosporium maculat... Early Leaf Spot Cranberry false blossom virus False Blossom Phytophthora cactorum Fruit Rot Various plant-parasitic nematode genera Nematodes Phytophthora Root and Runner Rot Pyrenobotrys compacta Pyrenobotrys Leaf Spot Phyllosticta cotoneastri Red Leaf Spot Phytophthora spp. or environmental Red Shoot Rose Bloom Diaporthe vaccinii (asexual: Phomopsis vaccinii) Upright Dieback Raspberry bushy dwarf virus and related viruses Virus Abiotic or fungal Leaf Gall Symptom category — not a single disease Leaf Spot Ramorum Blight (Sudden Oak Death) [AUDIT NOTE] This is a malformed bulk-import artifact, no... Diseases

Phenological Calendar

As of June 4, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2458.5 to 2700.8 GDD₃₂. Big Huckleberry has passed 'first bloom' (1033 GDD₃₂).

Regional Season Tracker

GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 4, 2026
Station GDD₃₂ Current Stage Next To Go
Issaquah / East King 2,701 'First bloom' — —
Kent / Auburn 2,695 'First bloom' — —
Seattle / UW 2,637 'First bloom' — —
Olympia / Tumwater 2,598 'First bloom' — —
Tacoma / Puyallup 2,564 'First bloom' — —
Bellingham / Whatcom 2,560 'First bloom' — —
Sequim / Rain Shadow 2,459 'First bloom' — —
View full calendar (3 stages)
Stage GDD32 Typical Window
'Bud break' BBCH '07' 607 ''
'Leaf emergence' BBCH '11' 780 ''
● 'First bloom' BBCH '61' NOW 1033 ''

Source: 'NPN citizen science observations (WA+OR), n=17, median. services.usanpn.org' About GDD₃₂ →

Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 4, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 20, 2026, then climate normals.

Data Maturity
Baseline Extension data. Expert review underway.