Our huckleberry shrubs (Gaylussacia baccata) come from the northern Midwest and into Saskatchewan. These are not the huckelberries native to Montana, but they do well here. However, if grown in an area not in the understory duff layer of a forest, must be amended with elemental sulfur in most calcareous Montana soils. We plant all huckelberries with at least 50% sphagnum pear, 25% compost, and 25% native soil. If the native soil is harder (more clay), then we push the peat up to 75%, compost 15%, and native soil 10%.
Because they’re adapted to even colder, more northern regions, we’ve grown them successfully for five years in western Montana. In our experience, they fruit consistently and handle our winters with ease.