Vaccinium Species, Farkleberry, Sparkleberry, Tree-Huckleberry
Vaccinium arboreum
Family: | Ericaceae (er-ek-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Vaccinium (vak-SIN-ee-um) (Info) |
Species: | arboreum (ar-BOR-ee-um) (Info) |
Synonym: | Vaccinium arboreum var. glaucescens |
Synonym: | Vaccinium diffusum |
Category:
Shrubs
Trees
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Herbaceous
Provides Winter Interest
Foliage Color:
Height:
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
Spacing:
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
White/Near White
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From semi-hardwood cuttings
By simple layering
By air layering
Seed Collecting:
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Atmore, Alabama
Cullman, Alabama
Daphne, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Bartow, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Hampton, Florida
Keystone Heights, Florida
Newberry, Florida
Ocala, Florida
Trenton, Florida
Decatur, Georgia
Douglasville, Georgia
Fort Valley, Georgia
Mandeville, Louisiana
Hickory Flat, Mississippi
Apex, North Carolina
Conway, South Carolina
Summerville, South Carolina
Dickson, Tennessee
Arlington, Texas
Broaddus, Texas
Colmesneil, Texas
Flint, Texas
Gause, Texas
Kountze, Texas
New Caney, Texas
Sugar Land, Texas
Willis, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Neutral | On Feb 22, 2017, Phrederica_VA from Montpelier, VA wrote: Most of the comments here are about the edible huckleberry. From what I have read, this species has bb sized fruit (tiny) that are tough and bitter but loved by birds. There are several species of edible huckleberry. |
Positive | On Dec 18, 2012, Texaspatriot wrote: When i moved to Kountze i had never seen a huckleberry tree before. they were growing all along a creek in my backyard. i showed them to a friend of mine and he told me what they were and how good they were. I ended up making jelly out of them and more than one person has said it was better jelly than may haw. i have since found a larger species on my property that the berries don't ripen until fall but they are tart. Also great with blue bell vanilla ice cream. |
Positive | On Jun 12, 2012, pleasant7 from Olive Branch, MS wrote: We have many Sparkleberrys growing wild on our acreage in Benton County located in the hills of North Mississippi. What a beautiful speciman! |
Positive | On Jan 6, 2011, Fires_in_motion from Vacherie, LA (Zone 9a) wrote: This tree is terrific in many ways, to the point where I'm fairly confident in calling it the best li'l tree in North America. It's basically a big blueberry shrub with small black berries instead of fleshy blue ones. The fall foliage is a dazzling crimson, as it is on blueberry bushes, though the fall leaves don't cling as tenaciously as do fall blueberry leaves. The tree sends out runners several feet (to yards) from the parent tree; I am currently trying to pot one up, but am not too optimistic. I also collected many seeds from the huge 25' (my estimate) one at Northlake Nature Center in Mandeville, LA. Apparently this species likes sandier, drier soil than what we have here on the west (south) bank of the Mississippi River, but I'm going to try to grow these little bad boys anyway... read more |
Positive | On Jul 1, 2007, pixelphoto from Fort Valley, GA wrote: Related to bluebrries but the berries are somewhat tart. |
Positive | On Dec 6, 2006, JMBreland from Jacksonville, FL (Zone 9a) wrote: I delighted upon discovering wild specimens in the forested ravine behind our house here in Mobile, AL. I'm selectively clearing the area and leaving a few good-sized specimens to grace my future woodland garden. It's something special. *smile* |
Positive | On May 30, 2005, SudieGoodman from Broaddus, TX (Zone 8b) wrote: Sam Rayburn Lake, Zone 8b: |
Positive | On Jun 12, 2004, patp from Summerville, SC (Zone 8a) wrote: Sparkleberry is one of the most beautiful native evergreen bushes growing in this area (Zone 8a.) It produces lovely small bell-shaped flowers in early spring that quickly develop into small green berries (oops, I should have carried the camera with me on that walk!). Its growth pattern reminds me of a Japanese flower arrangement - twisted, asymmetrical, graceful. I've seen primitive chairs made of its wood sold in a local gift shop. It's primarily an understory grower that tolerates drought, high temperates, some direct sunlight, is ignored by deer, and is a joy to see. |
Positive | On Jun 11, 2004, tweek from Columbia, SC wrote: I too find it to be a slow grower. In a logged area, this plant has become widespread. It grows in thick thickets in a bottom area close to the water table. It is found sparsely on the adjacent hills. |
Positive | On Jul 21, 2003, Terry from Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) wrote: A slow-growing, drought tolerant native that deserves to be grown more widely. The bitter fruit are not as desirable as some other fruits of this family, but the pretty exfoliating bark, tolerance to dry and somewhat-alkaline soil makes it a great plant for the landscape, especially if you have a woodland area. |