I grow blueberries here in Madison, Wisconsin, despite our having hard water, and calciferous soil. Its not that hard to do. These shrubs need full sun, all day, for best growth and fruit production. They do reasonably well in full sun, half day. It is simple enough to amend our clay soil with either peat moss or composted tree leaves to raise the level of organic matter. I dig the hole twice as deep as needed, and add one cup of granulated soil sulfur. Some dirt and compost is added back, and mixed with the sulfur, in place, so that the hole is now 1/2 full. The shrub is set in, and more dirt/compost mixture is added to finish the job. Our tap water is hard, so I mix in 6 fluid ounces of white vinegar(standard grocery food grade) with 4 gallons of water, and use this on the blueberries. Most years, this is necessary during the August drought, with rainfall keeping the shrubs hydrated during the rest of the year. Where are you located? Is your tap water hard? Do you get enough rainfall to avoid continual irrigation?

Ericwi is right. This year I planted 3 blueberry bushes. The ph was 7 when I started. To help me, I got a ph meter and cottonseed meal. I just decided to make the commitment & I know the reward will be BERRIES!! Some varieties can take a higher ph but I'm not sure if you need a northern or southern variety. Where are you? I love ericwi's tip on the vinager. I'm using the neighbors pine needles as mulch.

Another thought, have you looked at honeyberries? You would need a pair of them.

I think most of the vaccinium species are pretty tetchy when it comes to PH levels. Some varieties may be better suited for more clay soil... but over all they like the acidity.

On the other hand, mine are doing ok so far with PH a bit higher PH than 4.5. I'm still working on dropping it, its around 6 right now. They haven't showed much stress yet. I've added the granulated sulfur and peat moss, and they seem to be holding pretty well.

I suppose they do take a bit of special care, but you might be surprised how well they do.

As for huckleberries, the vaccinium huckleberries sound to be even more picky. Disliking disturbance and seeming to demand very very specific sites. "Garden Huckleberries" get a bad wrap for bland flavor, though they grow on neutral soil. The huckleberries of the east - the non vaccinium type- I know nothing of. I've heard of service berries being mistaken for huckleberries. Also called Saskatoon blueberries, I believe they are easier to grow.