Gaylussacia ursina
Hickleberry, Bear huckleberry
Also known as Vaccinium ursinum
- Height × spread
- 1m × 0.75m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a spreading shrub of variable height, though generally it reaches around 1m (3ft) or so in height and spread. It has long, shiny-green leaves, held on spreading branches. Clusters of small, bell-shaped, white flowers on long, red-brown stems appear in June. These are followed by small, round, black fruits, which are said to have an uninteresting flavour. There is good autumn colour of orange, yellow and brown. The shrub belongs to the heather family.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Orange-yellow
- Fruit colour
- Black
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 0.75m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous)
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Apply acidic mulch
Where soil is only just acidic, apply mulch with a high acidic content such as leaf mould, or mulch for ericaceous plants. Alternatively the plant can benefit from a feed of iron supplement (iron chelate) such as sequestrol.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer · Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost
This plant requires acidic (ericaceous) soil. Where the soil is not acidic, or when planting in pots, use an ericaceous compost.