Vaccinium ovatum aka California Huckleberry

Taxonomy

Vaccinium ovatum, also known as Evergreen Huckleberry, Winter Huckleberry, and California Huckleberry, is a North American evergreen flowering shrub that would make a beautiful addition to any garden. With its glossy leaves and vibrant appearance, this plant can enhance the visual appeal of your garden throughout the year, even during the winter months. The shrub grows up to 2-3 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, making it a popular choice for borders and small gardens. In early spring, it produces delicate bell-shaped flowers, followed by small, blue, edible berries in summer. The leaves are typically elliptical or lance-shaped, with a smooth texture and slightly serrated edges. As an evergreen, the plant doesn't drop leaves when winter comes. Evergreen Huckleberry likes soil that is well-draining and needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Common names

California Huckleberry, Evergreen Huckleberry, Evergreen Huckleberry,, Winter Huckleberry, Evergreen Blueberry

How to care for California Huckleberry

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for California Huckleberry due to its easy-going nature.

Water

California Huckleberry should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

California Huckleberry loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the California Huckleberry prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

The growth rate of California Huckleberry is slow and it doesn't necessitate additional fertilizing. By changing the soil in its pot annually, the plant should be provided with adequate nutrition. It is crucial to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizers.

Region of origin

California Huckleberry’s native range is Western N. America - British Columbia to California.

More info:
Wikipedia