Red Huckleberry
Vaccinium parvifolium
Ericaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · native
Last updated
Red huckleberry (red whortleberry) is a native broadleaf shrub reaching 4-10 ft with multiple stems and erect form. It produces small greenish-white or pinkish bell-shaped flowers and edible red berries. It grows in coastal forests from Alaska to central California.
Red huckleberry is hardy in zones 5a-8b and prefers part shade with well-drained, acidic soil (pH 5.0-7.5). Growth is slow with low moisture requirements; established plants have high drought tolerance. It is long-lived in coastal forest conditions and useful for shade plantings.
Quick Facts
Aecial Stage (Alternate Host)
Spring Spore Release
Root Colonization Period
Active Below-ground Growth
+ 2 more — see full disease and pest lists below
Phenological Calendar
As of May 14, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1926.1 to 2121.1 GDD₃₂. Red Huckleberry has passed 'fall color / leaf senescence' (1737 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of May 14, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,121 | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,113 | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 2,085 | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,047 | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 2,016 | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,994 | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,926 | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | — | — |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| 'Bud break' BBCH '07' | 773 | '' |
| 'Leaf emergence' BBCH '11' | 932 | '' |
| 'Flower buds visible' BBCH '51' | 1031 | '' |
| 'First bloom' BBCH '61' | 1142 | '' |
| ● 'Fall color / leaf senescence' BBCH '93' NOW | 1737 | '' |
Source: 'NPN citizen science observations (WA+OR), n=110, median. services.usanpn.org' About GDD₃₂ →
Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of May 14, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 30, 2026, then climate normals.