Gaylussacia ursina aka Bear Huckleberry

Gaylussacia ursina is a deciduous shrub in the heath family, Ericaceae. Its common names include bear huckleberry and buckberry. It comes from the eastern United States, in a temperate region. Its recorded range includes northeast Georgia and western North Carolina. It also grows in South Carolina and Tennessee. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This shrub reaches about 6 feet [1.8 metres] in height. It loses its leaves during part of the year. In the wild, it grows on wooded slopes and summits. These sites often have a layer of acid humus. Its woodland habitat helps guide its place in a garden. A sunny woodland edge or a spot with dappled shade suits it. It can also grow in full sun.

Flowers appear from May to June. Each flower has both male and female organs. The fruit is edible, either fresh or after cooking. However, its flavour is bland, so food value is limited. Plants For A Future gives its edibility two out of five. That source lists no known hazards for this species. This does not amount to a full safety assessment. It also records no known medicinal or other uses.

Grow it in moist, acid soil that drains well. It needs soil free from lime and rich in peat. It accepts sandy soil, loam, and clay when drainage is suitable. The stated pH range runs from mildly to strongly acid. These needs matter when choosing a garden site. Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 5–9. It also gives a UK zone number of 6. That number should not be read as an RHS hardiness rating.

Several methods can produce new plants. Sow fresh seed in autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed needs one warm month, then two cold months. Move seedlings into separate pots with lime-free compost. Keep young plants in light shade under cover through their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. They should first reach about 0.5 feet [0.15 metres] tall. Half-ripe cuttings can be taken in July or August. Layering and spring division are further options. Plants For A Future does not flag this shrub as weedy.