Gardening information sheet

1. *California huckleberry – Vaccinium ovatum (vak-SIN-ee-um oh-VAY-tum )
Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Native to: Coastal Northern America from British Columbia, Canada to Santa Barbara Co., N. Channel Islands and San Diego Co; on dry, shaded slopes and canyons or moister woodland edges below 3000 ft. Most common in fog belt along the coast.
Growth characteristics: woody shrub mature height: 3-6 ft. mature width: 3-5+ ft. Evergreen shrub, much-branched, with elegant delicate appearance. Leaves simple, leathery, glossy above – reminiscent of camelia; foliage used in florist’s trade. New growth and bark is reddish. Shape and size are much dependent on light; plant becomes larger and more vine-like in low light.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring, usually from Feb-Apr. Flowers are small, white-pink and urn- shaped like manzanita. Flowers are fragrant and attract hummingbirds, large bees. Blue-black, shiny fruits ripen in summer and are delicious for jam, jelly, sauces, wine and baked goods.
Uses in the garden: Most often grown as a berry-bush, but makes a nice evergreen shrub in shady areas of the garden. Woodsy appearance is appreciated in natural gardens. Used for informal and formal (clipped) hedges. Good choice for habitat garden. Does fine in large containers. Cultivar ‘Blue Madonna’ is smaller (4-6 ft tall/wide) even in shade; has all the other attributes of species.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shade-loving shrubs.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and fruits for food. Attracts hummingbirds.
Requirements:
Element
Requirement
Sun
Part-shade (morning sun) or high shade (under trees) best; can take shade.
Soil
Well-drained sandy/gravelly soils best; needs acidic conditions (pH 4.0-6.0).
Water
Moderate to fairly regular summer water – Zone 2-3 (weekly or every other week)
Fertilizer
Low needs; yearly ½ strength acid fertilizer in spring if grown in container.
Other
Acidic organic mulch: bark chips, pine needles
Management: Slow-growing. Resents being moved. Wash leaves with a spray of water occasionally in summer (remember – it likes fog). Prune out dead branches after flowering.
Propagation: from seed: +/- cold moist treatment by cuttings: soft- and hard-wood cuttings
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 8, 11, 37 10/30/14
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND