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Look at our list of Highbush blueberries
Look at our list of Half-High blueberries
Cultural Requirements
Blueberries prefer an acid, well
drained soil. Their shallow, compact root system makes regular irrigation a
necessity. Mulching has proved beneficial an soils which are not ideal for
blueberry growing. Fir sawdust or bark dust, applied to a depth of two to four
inches, eliminates much of the need for cultivation and conserves moisture.
Fertility
For well balanced mineral soils
with sawdust mulch not less than four inches deep, an application of 1/4 pound
of Amonium Sulphate per plant per year is ideal. It should be applied in early
spring on the surface of the mulch in a broad ring around the plant. The size
of the plant is not important.On organic soils without a mulch, the addition of
Phosphorus or Potassium or both may be more important than the addition of
Nitrogen. Complete Fertilizers, such as 5-10-10, are recommended for these
soils.
Planting Instructions
Blueberries ultimately reach a
height of six feet or more with a four foot spread or more. Therefore, the rows
should be at least eight feet apart while no two plants should be closer than
six feet, unless a hedge is desired.The top of the root clump should be close
to the surface if a mulch is used, or about four inches deep without mulch.
Fruit Production
Two different varieties must be
planted to insure cross pollination for fruit set. Any two varieties will cross
pollinate regardless of ripening time. The early varieties begin rippening in
June, and the late varieties in early August. When planting two or three year
old plants, the blossoms can be removed for a year or two to promote vegetative
growth. Blueberries tend to over-bear rather than under-bear. Thinning of the
blossoms will promote larger fruit and a healther bush.
Pruning
After the plant has established
itself, one may remove old tired wood that is loaded with too many fruit buds
and too few leaf buds. Some of the thrifty vegetative wood may be removed to
prevent the plant from becoming too sprawling or too high. Blueberries become
sweeter as they hang on the bush. The only possible reason to pick early, (as
they turn blue), is to escape predatory birds, Home gardeners often protect
their plants from birds with netting. A large plant may have 15 to 20 pounds of
fruit and is worth protecting.
Earliblue
Introduced from the New Jersry
Agricultural Experiment Station in 1952. Highbush; early season. First to
ripen. Medium size, long, loose clusters of large, firm, light blue berries.
Excellent sweet and mild flavor. Vigorous, erect bush with bright red wood will
grow 5 to 6 feet tall at maturity. Machine harvest well. Aviod poorly drained
soil.
Blueray
Introduced from the New Jersey
Agricultural Experiment Station in 1955. Highbush; early midseason. This
variety is an old favorite. Small, tight clusters of large, medium blue fruit.
Soft, firm skin of Blueray resist cracking. Excellent quality berries with a
sweet, slightly tart, aromatic flavor. Vigorous and very productive, this bush
will grow 4-6 feet tall at maturity. Bright red wood in the winter. Tight
clusters may discourage machine picking.
Berkeley
Introduced in 1949. Highbush;
midseason. Large, open loose clusters of large, firm, powder blue fruit. No
cracking. Berkeley has a mild pleasing flavor with high dessert quality. Also a
good variety for freezing. Vigorous and productive spreading bush with heavy
yellow canes. Not recommended for machine picking due to the brittle canes and
spreading habit. Berkeleyis the most popular variety of the home garden.
Bluecrop
Introduced in 1952. Highbush;
midseason. Standards of excellence. Bluecrop is a leading commercial variety.
Medium to large, open clusters of large, firm, crack resistant, light blue
fruit. High quality fruit with good subacid flavor. Bluecrop is good for fresh
eating, preserves, baking and freezing. Vigorous, upright growth, will reach
4-6 feet at maturity. Slender light red canes. Tends to overbear unless
properly pruned. Bluecrop will grow well in most areas.
Bluegold
Midseason. Cold hardy Bluegold features a compact, round bush up to 4 feet that is perfect for landscaping. Fall foliage and winter wood are a golden yellow, followed by bright-white blooms in the spring. The firm, flavorful berries form large clusters that are easy to pick. Because of the heavy fruiting habit, commercial growers sometimes refer to it as the "mortgage lifter," the plant breeders just called it Bluegold.
Bluejay
Early Midseason. This extremely
vigorous variety will grow almost twice as fast as most other blueberries.
Bluejay features ample crops of medium size, mild flavored berries that will
stay on the bush for long periods without loss of fruit quality. Bluejay is a
large bush, growing 6-7 feet tall with light green summer foliage,
yellow-orange leaves in the fall, and bright yellow winter wood color. Zones
4-7.
Bluetta
Very Early. Ripens with Earliblue.
Medium sized, dark blue berries with a tangy blueberry flavor. Bluetta is a
heavier yielder than Earliblue and more adaptable to colder climates or areas
with late spring frosts. The bush is very compact, reaching 3-4 feet at
maturity. The dense globe form and scarlet red fall foliage make Bluetta an excellent
selection for landscaping. Zones 4-7
Brigitta
Late. Fresh from Australia. This
easy to grow hybrid yields one of the highest quality berries available. The
fruit is large, light blue, firm, with a crisp texture. The flavor strikes a
perfect balance-sweet yet very slightly tart. Brigitta berries have amazing
shelf life. We have stored the berries for over a month in the refrigerator and
they were still crisp and tasted great! The slightly spreading bush is a fast
grower with deep green foliage and bronze tinted new growth. A real winner in
any garden. Zone 4-7.
Cape Fear
Early Midseason. The fruit is very
large, light blue with mild flavor. Cape Fear is quite precocious and easy to
grow. Cold requirements for Care Fear are a little higher, requiring about 400
hours. Zones 7-9
Chandler
Mid to late season. Bigger is
better when it comes to Chandler. With fruit the size of cherries and
surprisingly delicious flavor, Chandler is clearly the world’s largest
blueberry. Another great feature that will provide your customers a bounty of
fresh picked fruit for over six weeks is Chandler’s long ripening season! The
bush is vigorous with large, dark green foliage and a slightly spreading habit
to 5-6 feet. Zones 4-7.
Darrow
Late. Darrow boast the largest
berries of all blueberry cultivars with some fruit actually reaching
half-dollar size! The fruit is slightly flat, light blue, with a delightful
tart flavor. The bush is quite vigorous, reaching 5-6 feet at maturity. Darrow
does not produce as heavily in the colder zones as it does in milder areas but
the "blue ribbon" sized berries are worth the reduced yields. Zones
5-7.
Duke
Highbush; early season. Medium to
large light blue berries. Mildly tart flavor. The Duke berry is very firm and
retains its fresh quality longer than most other varietries. Blooms late but
ripens early, protecting blossoms from late frosts. Heavy, consistent producer.
Upright growth but branches will droop to the ground when laden with fruit.
Yellow-orange foliage in the fall. Hardy in USDA zones 4-7
Elliot
Very Late. With this variety home
gardeners can enjoy fresh berries clear through September. In northern areas,
they consider Elliott their fall bearing blueberry. Bright burgundy colored
wood accents the grey-green foliage and sky blue berries. The late bloom period
misses most spring frost and the heavy bud set on Elliott assures the grower of
bountiful crops. The berry can be quite tart unless picked fully ripe. Zones
4-7.
Hardyblue
Midseason. Hardyblue is an old
established variety in the Northwest that is known for its superior flavored,
exceptionally sweet berry. Hardyblue has a reputation for being quite adaptable
to many soil types, including heavier clay soils. The upright vigorous bush
supports heavy crops of medium sized, dark blue fruit perfect for muffins and
pancakes. Brilliant yellow-orange foliage in the fall gives way to dark red
wood in winter. Zones 4-7.
Herbert
Introduced in 1952. Highbush; late
season. Loose clusters of large, dark blue fruit. Known for its outstanding color
and excellent sweet-tart blueberry flavor. Large picking scar dose tend to
leak. Vigorous, productive, slightly spreading bush will grow 4-6 feet tall.
Fruit hands well on the bush without dropping which makes it easy to pick. The
fruit is not good for shipping.
Ivanhoe
Introduced from North Carolina
Agricultural Experiment Station in 1952. Highbush; midseason. Medium size,
loose clusters of large, medium blue, firm and crisp fruit. Fruit is resistant
to cracking. Very good, highly aromatic, sweet-tart flavor. High dessert
quality. Vigorous, productive, erect bush.
Jersey
One of the oldest and most widely
grown of all varieties, Jersey is a favorite for home gardeners wanting an easy
to grow, heavy producing late season variety. This bush grows quite large,
often reaching 7 feet at maturity. The dark blue, small to medium sized fruit
is very sweet and a favorite for baking. A reliable producer year after year.
Zones 4-7
Jubilee
Midseason. Growing conditions can be tough in Mississippi. Jubilee has distinguished
itself as one of the toughest, performing well in heavier soils through summer heat and sudden winter cold. We especially like the upright,
compact bush and the easy-picking bountiful crops of sky-blue berries presented over the outer periphery of the bush. Jubilee berries are
medium sized and espcially tasty, growing in large clusters that ripen over a two week period. Fall foliage is yellow orange. Jubilee is
recommended throughout the South and in California in areas that receive ar least 500 chilling hours.
Legacy
This interesting new release from
the USDA Blueberry Research Station keeps its leaves through the winter,
offering a very different look for blueberries in the landscape. Foliage will
turn bright orange in colder climates, but here on the West Coast the leaves
stay green with the lighter fall hues. Legacy plants are vigorous, upright to 6
feet, and slightly spreading. Here in the Willamette Valley where Legacy has
been tested for some time, pickers refer to it as the "Golden Bush"
due to its heavy production. The berries are medium large, light blue with a
robust blueberry flavor. Rated as one of the best flavored varieties in USDA trials.
Zones 5-8
Misty
Early. Misty is one of the most
attractive southern highbush varieties. The bright blue-green foliage provides
a perfect contrast to the hot pink spring flowers and sky blue summer fruit.
The berries are medium to large size and of
excellent quality. Growers especially like Misty’s evergreen tendency in
areas with mild winters. Yields best when planted with other blueberries. Chilling needs are very low
(300 hours) but don’t hesitate to offer it in the north, all the way to
Seattle. Zones 5-10.
Nelson
Late Midseason. Nelson was released
by the USDA in 1988 as a late midseason cultivar that would perform better in
northern areas than Berkeley. It was selected from crosses of Bluecrop and
Berkeley and seems to have inherited Bluecrop’s flavor and Berkeley’s giant
size. Our test block evaluations show yields to be consistent and quite high.
Zones 4-7.
Northland
Early Midseason. The most
cold-hardy highbush variety grown. Reaches about 4 feet high and 4 feet wide at
maturity. A very productive variety, often yielding over 20 pounds per bush
when mature. The berries are dark blue and medium size, excellent for jams and
baking because of their high sugar content. It is easy to grow and adaptable to
many soil types. Northland’s cold hardiness extends the area where highbush
blueberries can be successfully raised. The bright yellow wood and compact
shape fits well in the landscape, especially when grouped with other compact
varieties like Bluetta, Bluegold or Patriot. Zones 3-7
Olympia
Midseason. One of the West’s best
kept secrets. Easy to grow, large spreading bush with emerald green leaves and
bright red fall color. Our fresh fruit customers rate Olympia as best tasting,
preferring their pleasant aroma and spicy flavor. The medium sized dark blue
fruit is perfect for muffins and pancakes. Avoid planting in areas with late
spring frosts, as Olympia can be susceptible. Zones 5-7.
Ozarkblue
(Pat No. 10035) Southern Highbush. Late. Southern? Northern? All
we know is that Ozarkblue is a real winner. Selected in Arkansas from southern and northern highbush parents, Ozarkblue
has the cold hardiness needed for zone 5, but still performs well in warmer areas with very hot summers and 800 chilling
hours. The berries are large, light blue, with outstanding blueberry flavor. Quite similar to Bluecrop in fruit quality and bush
habit. Ozarkblue is recommended for those who wish to extend the blueberry season an extra month beyond most southern
highbush.
Patriot
Early. Patriot was selected at the
University of Maine for home gardeners requiring a cold hardy variety that
would bear consistent crops of large sized fruit. Production is high, ranging
between 10 and 20 pounds at maturity. The berries are dark blue and highly
flavored. Patriot is a low growing, spreading bush to about 4 feet, revealing
its partial lowbush parentage. It is adaptable to many soil types and will
perform better in wetter soils than many other varieties. Patriot makes an
excellent landscape variety with its showy white blooms in the spring, dark
green summer foliage, and fiery orange fall color. Zone 3-7.
Rubel
Highbush; Late midseason. Ruble is living proof that older is oftentimes
better. This “heritage” blueberry was one of the first ever selected, discovered growing wild in the Pinelands of New Jersey
and named by D. Frederick Coville in 1912. It has continued to be popular all of these years with
commercial growers because of its uniformly small fruit, dark color, and intense flavor. These are the
perfect baking berries. Blueberries are attracting attention from all points due to their extremely high
antioxidant levels. Now current research has shown that Rubel scores almost twice as high as most other
blueberries, truly the reigning “king” of health foods. Rubel is a strong, upright bush of six feet or more at
maturity. It is a consistent producer and easy to pick. Here is a plant for your customer that has it all - good
looks, great fruit, and it’s good for you! Zone 4-7.
Sharpblue
Early. Sharpeblue is the leading and most adaptable variety in low
chill areas throughout the world. This stalky, vigorous bush can grow to over six feet in optimal sites. In milder
zones with fewer than 500 chilling hours, Sharpblue will bloom and fruit almost year-round, and the bush will be
nearly evergreen. The berries are dark blue, about the size of a dime, with excellent flavor and texture. We
recommend Sharpblue in areas with mild winters where hard frosts are uncommon. Zone 7 to 10.
Spartan
Early. Spartan features one of the
most attractive and best flavored berries of any cultivar. It is light blue,
very large (often covering a quarter) with a delicious tangy sweet flavor. It
is an easy to pick upright bush reaching 5-6 feet at maturity. The large glossy
green leaves turn orange and yellow in the fall. Spartan can be particular
about soil type requiring well-drained sandy loam with lots of organic matter.
Zones 5-7.
Sunshine Blue
Midseason. For gardens from San
Diego to Seattle, Sunshine Blue has it all. This semi-dwarf evergreen blueberry
features a highly-branched compact habit to 3 feet tall. The showy hot pink
flowers in spring yield large crops of dime-sized, delicious blueberries with a
unique tangy flavor for up to 9 weeks in the summer. Sunshine Blue tolerates
higher pH soils better than other blueberries. It is self pollinating. The low
chilling requirement of 150 hours makes it suitable for Southern California,
but we find it is surprisingly cold hardy and a wonderful addition to our
Northwest gardens. Zones 5-10.
Toro
Midseason. Every year Toro
continues to amaze us with its striking, full, heavy clusters of giant sky blue
fruit. It is almost impossible to walk by a fruit-laden Toro and not pick some
of the delectable berries. Toro was named for its stocky, compact bush habit.
While not as fast a grower as some of the other varieties, Toro is an
outstanding ornamental blueberry. The flowers turn from hot pink to bright
white and contrast nicely with the bronze colored spring foliage. The deep
green summer foliage turns to the brightest of reds in fall. Zones 4-7.
O'Neal
Very Early, Large, light blue fruit
of terrific quality. Best flavor of the southern highbush. The bush is vigorous
and upright to 6 feet. Foliage is an attractive grey-green in summer accented
with red stems and branches. O’Neal has a suggested chilling requirement of
200-300 hours. Zones 7-9
Reveille
Late Midseason. Medium sized fruit,
with outstanding flavor and a unique crisp, almost crunchy, texture. Upright,
narrow bush to 5-6 feet. Reveille is a vigorous, easy to grow variety that
thrives in hot climates or the cool coast. Hot pink blooms cover the bush in
springtime, giving way to loads of light blue, medium sized berries. Requires
approximately 500 hours chilling for best growth and production. Zones 7-9
Georgia Gem
Midseason. Medium sized fruit,
excellent flavor and quality. An upright bush to 5-6 feet. Growers on the East
Coast have found Georgia Gem quite cold hardy, yet tolerant of high temperatures.
It is performing exceptionally well in California. Requires a minimum of
200-300 chilling hours. Zones 7-9
Sierra
Highbush; midseason. Sierra is an
interspecific hybrid combining northern and southern highbush types. The
vigorous, fast growing bush appears quite adaptable to many soil types and
makes an excellent selection for hedgerows. Sierra's distinctively flat,
quarter-sized berries are borne on loose clusters over the outer periphery of
the bush. The moderately producing bush doesn't tend to overbear, making it a
good selection for timid pruners.
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Chippewa
Midseason. Chippewa is a 1996
release from the University of Minnesota breeding program. The bush is compact
and slightly larger than Northblue. The berries are larger than Northblue, very
light blue, with an excellent sweet flavor. Yields should average between 3 ½
to 7 pounds per bush at maturity. Zones 3-7
Polaris
Eary. Polaris, a 1996 release from
Minnesota, is recommended where a cold hardy, early ripening companion to
Northblue is desired. Berries are very firm, light blue, of moderate size with
strong aromatics and delightful flavor. Bush is upright and spreading to 4
feet. For best pollination plant with other varieties. Zones 3-7
Northsky
Developed at the University of Minnesota.
Small to medium, light blue fruit with dusty blooms. (Smaller than Northblue).
Excellent wild blueberry flavor that is superior to most highbush varieties.
Low spreading bush with dense foliage. 12 to 18 inches tall and can get to 24
to 36 inches wide. Small dark green leaves turn red in the fall. Yields 1 to 2
pounds of fruit per bush. Home garden variety for areas with severely cold
winters, but abundant snow cover to insulate the plant. Grows well in USDA
zones 3 to 7.
Northblue
Introduced from the University of
Minnesota in 1973. Plump, sweet and firm navy blue fruit. Very good quality
fruit with a wild blueberry flavor that is superior to most highbush varieties.
With refrigeration will store well. Plant will grow 20 to 30 inches tall.
Large, dark green leaves will turn red in the fall. Can yield 3 to 7 pounds per
bush if snow cover is adequate for winter protection. Ripens in mid July. Hardy
to -35 degrees F. and in USAD zones 3-7.
Northcountry
Introduced from the University of
Minnesota. Medium size sky blue fruit with little or no picking scar. Mild and
sweet wild blueberry flavor. Good quality. Tough and vigorous plants will grow
18 to 24 inches tall and 30 to 40 inches wide. Yields 2 to 7 pounds of fruit
per plant. Production is best when snow protection is adequate. Ripens about 5
days before Northblue. Recommended for commercial use. Hardy to -35 degrees F.
Top Hat
V. corymbosum x V.
angustifolium. A perfect name for this dwarf cultivar, growing to about 1 ½ feet high and wide. Plentiful white blooms in spring give way to
pea sized light blue berries. Top Hat is perfect for defined border plantings
or growing in pots. Excellent bonsai subject. Zone 3-7.
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