Skip to main content

California-huckleberry

Vaccinium ovatum

Last reviewed: November 2026

California-huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) is a perennial shrub native to CA, OR, WA. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw bumble bees and native bees.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for California-huckleberry, free in the app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
California-huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)
Photo: (c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY)

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 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like California-huckleberry.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast RangePuget LowlandNorthwestern Forested MountainsCentral California Foothills and Coastal MountainsSouthern California MountainsSouthern California/Northern Baja Coast

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.

Growing California-huckleberry

Grow California-huckleberry in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 36 to 96 inches tall and spread 36 to 72 inches wide.

Get an email before your first frost

We'll email you a week before frost can first reach your ZIP. You also get a printable fall checklist with your dates right away.

You'll also get our weekly yard notes. Unsubscribe anytime.

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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow California-huckleberry? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden
iPhone appAndroid app