California-huckleberry
Vaccinium ovatum
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
California-huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
36"–96" H × 36"–72" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA, OR, WA
Pollinators
bumble bees, native bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Evergreen huckleberry is a dense, upright shrub with small glossy leathery leaves that bronze in cold weather, and clusters of small pink-white bell-shaped flowers. It forms an understory layer in coniferous forests and tolerates shade well.
Wildlife value
Bumble bees and other native bees pollinate the bell flowers, and the small dark berries that follow are eaten by birds and small mammals.
Common questions
- How much sun does California-huckleberry need?
- California-huckleberry grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does California-huckleberry bloom?
- California-huckleberry blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is California-huckleberry native?
- California-huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) is native to CA, OR, WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does California-huckleberry attract?
- California-huckleberry draws bumble bees and native bees.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow California-huckleberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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