The list of blueberry bushes below mainly focuses on the center of the country in growing zones 4-7. However, some of the varieties below can also be grown in zones outside that. Be sure you pay close attention to the growing zone info within each blueberry list of features.
Best Blueberries to Grow at Home
BlueCrop Blueberry
The BlueCrop Blueberry is an excellent choice for colder climates, known for producing large clusters of big, versatile berries that are perfect for salads, pies, or served with cream. This variety was developed in 1934 and introduced in 1941, earning a reputation for being cold-hardy and ripening in July. While it is self-pollinating, larger crops are achieved when pollinated with varieties like Jersey or Earliblue.
Key Features
- Berry Quality: Produces large, all-purpose blueberries.
BlueCrop Blueberry
- Pollination: Self-pollinating; cross-pollination enhances yield.
- Bloom Color: Pink and white blooms.
- Bloom Time: Mid-season.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers loamy, well-drained soil with a pH of 4.5 – 5.5.
- Sunlight: Requires full sun.
- Taste and Texture: Berries have a mild, sweet flavor and firm texture.
- Maturity Size: Grows to about 4 – 6 feet in height and 3 – 4 feet in width.
- Spacing: Recommended planting 3 – 4 feet apart.
- Hardiness Zone: Suitable for USDA Zones 4 – 7.
- Berry Characteristics: Known for high yields of large, bright blue, firm berries that grow in clusters and have excellent flavor.
- Special Features: Noted for its hardiness, vigor, and consistent production.
- Health Benefits: Contains high levels of Nutraceuticals, beneficial for health.
The BlueCrop Blueberry is the leading commercial variety, particularly popular in states like New Jersey and Michigan. It’s celebrated for its superb berry flavor, whether consumed fresh or frozen, and its excellent freezing quality. This variety is ideal for those seeking a hardy, productive plant that delivers both in taste and health benefits.
Bluejay Northern Highbush Blueberry
The Bluejay Northern Highbush Blueberry is a delightful variety known for its sweet flavor and remarkable ability to maintain quality on the bush for extended periods. This variety is not only valued for its tasty fruit but also for its ornamental qualities, with branches turning bright yellow and leaves shifting from light green to vibrant yellow and orange post-harvest.
Bluejay Blueberry
Key Characteristics
- Flavor: The Bluejay variety offers a delicately sweet taste.
- Harvesting: Noted for the extended period that berries can retain quality on the bush. Ripening occurs from July to August.
- Ornamental Appeal: Post-harvest, it features striking yellow branches and leaves that transition to yellow and orange, making it an attractive addition to any garden.
- Growth and Care:
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- Reaches maturity at 4-6 feet in height and 3-4 feet in width.
- Prefers full sun and well-drained, acidic soil.
- Requires fertilization in early spring and pruning in late winter.
- Pollination: While partially self-fertile, planting with another variety enhances fruit production.
- Cold Hardiness: Capable of withstanding temperatures down to -15° F.
- Yield: Can produce 15-20 pounds of fruit.
- Pests and Diseases: Resilient against significant pest and disease issues.
- USDA Zone Compatibility: Thrives in zones 5-8.
With its combination of excellent fruit quality, attractive foliage color changes, and good yield, the Bluejay Northern Highbush Blueberry is a superb choice for both fruit production and landscape aesthetics.
The BlueRay Northern Highbush Blueberry is an esteemed mid-season ripening variety known for its excellent flavor and large, deep blue berries. A vigorous and productive plant, it is a favorite in home gardens, maturing a few days earlier than the Blue Crop variety. Particularly popular throughout the northeast and Midwest, BlueRay blueberries are renowned for their heavy crops and reliable winter hardiness, suitable for Zones 4-7
BlueRay Northern Highbush Blueberry Characteristics
- Ripening Season: Mid-season, with harvest time in July.
- Fruit Quality: Excellent flavor with large, extra-large, deep blue berries.
BlueRay Blueberry
- Plant Vigor: Very vigorous and productive.
- Pollination: Self-pollinating, but benefits from cross-pollination with another variety.
- Popularity: A favored variety in home gardens, especially in the northeast and Midwest.
- Hardiness: Dependable winter hardiness, suitable for Zones 4-7.
- Bloom Color: Features pink and white blooms.
- Bloom Time: Blooms appear mid-season.
- Soil Preferences: Thrives in loamy, well-drained soil with a pH level of 4.5 – 5.5.
- Sun Exposure: Requires full sun.
- Taste and Texture: Berries have a sweet taste and firm texture.
- Maturity Size: Grows to approximately 4 – 6 feet in height and 3 – 4 feet in width.
- Recommended Spacing: Plants should be spaced 3 – 4 feet apart.
- Years to Bear Fruit: Typically starts bearing fruit within 2 – 3 years after planting.
- Hybrid Advantages: Higher concentration of antioxidants, vibrant flavor, and larger, firmer berries compared to other varieties.
Brunswick Blueberry Overview
Originating from Nova Scotia, Canada, the Brunswick Blueberry is a compact and attractive shrub known for its abundant crops of sweet, sky-blue berries. This variety stands out with its glossy, dark green foliage, providing a beautiful backdrop for the delicious fruits it produces.
Key Features
- Berry Characteristics: Produces flavorful, sweet berries with a sky-blue color. The berries are small in size but offer a fine wild blueberry flavor and firm texture.
- Plant Size and Growth: The plant is compact, reaching up to 1 foot in height, with high vigor and the capability to grow first-year stems up to 12 inches tall.
- Ripening Time: Berries ripen in July.
Brunswick Blueberry
- Yield: Yields 3-5 lbs of berries per plant.
- Pollination: Partially self-fertile, but planting two varieties is recommended for greater fruit production.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5).
- Sun Exposure: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
- Hardiness: Extremely hardy, capable of withstanding temperatures down to minus 30° F. or below.
- Maintenance: Requires early spring fertilization and late winter pruning for optimal health and yield.
- Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally not affected by pests or diseases. Use Mylar Flash Tape or netting to deter birds.
- Bloom Time: Blooms in April.
- Hardiness Zones: Suitable for USDA Zones 3-7.
The Brunswick Blueberry was discovered in a commercial low-bush blueberry field in Albert County, New Brunswick, and extensively tested and evaluated in Kentville, NS, Canada. It is known for its ovate, deep green leaves, and can produce up to 20 light blue fruits on the tips of its stems. This blueberry variety is perfect for gardeners looking for a high-yielding, flavorful, and hardy plant that offers both ornamental and culinary value.
Chandler Blueberry Overview
Introducing the “world’s largest Blueberry,” a variety renowned for producing exceptionally large, sweet, and juicy berries, perfect for fresh eating and baking. This variety, introduced in 1995, is notable for its cold hardiness, tolerating temperatures as low as -15ºF, and ripening its fruit in July. Self-pollinating and suitable for USDA Zones 4-7, this blueberry plant matures to a height of 4-5 feet and a similar width, making it a substantial addition to any garden.
Key Features
- Berry Size: Known for extra-large blueberries, among the biggest seen.
- Taste and Texture: Offers sweet-tasting, firm berries.
Chandler Blueberry
- Ripening Time: Mid- to late-season harvest, typically in July.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers loamy, well-drained soil with a pH of 4.5 – 5.5.
- Sun Exposure: Requires full sun.
- Plant Size at Maturity: Grows to approximately 4 – 5 feet in height and width.
- Pollination: While self-pollinating, better productivity with partial cross-pollination.
- Hardiness Zone: Thrives in Zones 4 – 7.
- Chill Hours: Needs 1000+ hours for reliable productivity.
- Seasonal Features: Has the longest ripening season among blueberries, and leaves turn a decorative red in the fall.
- Spacing: Plant spacing recommended at 4 – 5 feet apart for optimal growth.
This variety, one of the first offered by Raintree in the Western U.S., is known for its vigorous, upright growth, reaching 5-7 feet tall, and providing consistently high yields. The high chill requirement from the New Jersey testing program ensures a plentiful harvest. Its durable oval leaves add ornamental value, especially with their striking red color in autumn. Ideal for gardeners looking for a high-yielding, large-fruited blueberry plant, it offers a long season of sweet, firm, and delicious fruit extending from mid to late season.
The Chippewa Blueberry, or Vaccinium agustifolium x corymbosum ‘Chippewa’, is a Northern lowbush variety renowned for its sweet, juicy light blue berries. This compact, edible ornamental plant, developed by the University of Minnesota, grows to 3-4 feet, producing 4-7 pounds of large berries midseason. Its foliage displays a fiery blend of orange, yellow, and red in the fall. Hardy in USDA Zones 3-8, the Chippewa Blueberry flourishes in acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 and requires 1000+ chill hours. It enjoys full sun to part shade and is partially self-fertile, though cross-pollination enhances fruit production.
Chippewa Blueberry
Key Characteristics:
- Berry Quality: Large, light blue, and sweet.
- Growth: Upright form, 3-4 feet tall and wide.
- Yield: 4-7 pounds per plant.
- Ripening Time: Midseason/August.
- Foliage: Vibrant fall colors.
- Soil Requirements: Acidic pH of 4.5, organic-rich.
- USDA Zones: 3-8.
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade.
- Pollination: Benefits from cross-pollination.
Ideal for both ornamental and edible gardening, the Chippewa Blueberry is a versatile and visually striking plant that is as practical as it is beautiful.
The Duke Blueberry is a celebrated Northern Highbush variety, thriving in cooler climates and northern regions. Developed and released by the USDA in Beltsville, Maryland, in 1987, this early-season blueberry cultivar is renowned for its high yield of large, firm, and crisp berries. These berries are notable for their tangy yet sweet and delicate flavor, making them a delightful addition to any garden or landscape.
Duke Blueberry
Key Characteristics of Duke Blueberry:
- Bloom Color & Time: The Duke Blueberry bush presents with white, pink-tinged blossoms that bloom early in the season, reducing the risk of damage from late spring frosts.
- Fruit Attributes: The berries are large, with a light blue hue and a firm texture. They are known for their tangy and sweet flavor profile.
- Nutritional Value: Blueberries, including those from the Duke variety, are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C.
- Growth and Landscape Use: This variety can reach up to 4-6 feet in height and width at maturity, making it a striking plant for both garden and landscape use. It features vibrant yellow and orange foliage in the fall.
- Care Requirements: Duke blueberry bushes prefer acidic, well-drained soil and full sun. Annual pruning is recommended for optimal health and fruit production.
- Pollination: While self-pollinating, cross-pollination with other blueberry cultivars can enhance fruit yield.
- Harvest Time: Berries typically ripen in late May.
- Soil pH Level: Ideal soil pH levels range from 4.5 to 5.5.
- Hardiness and Suitability: This variety is suited for zones 4-7 and is known for its winter hardiness and excellent freezing quality.
Overall, the Duke Blueberry is a versatile and hardy choice for anyone looking to enjoy the benefits of home-grown blueberries, whether for their taste, nutritional value, or ornamental appeal.
The EarliBlue Blueberry is an early-season variety distinguished by its well-shaped, upright, and vigorous plants, complemented by dark green foliage. This variety was first developed in 1936 and subsequently introduced to the market in 1952, marking its place as a long-standing favorite among blueberry cultivars.
EarliBlue Blueberry Characteristics
- Blooming:
EarliBlue Blueberry
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- Color: Ranges from pink to white.
- Bloom Time: Early season bloomer.
- Fruit:
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- Color and Size: Light blue berries, medium to large in size.
- Taste and Texture: Sweet yet astringent taste with a firm texture.
- Uses: Perfect for fresh eating, as well as in pies and jams.
- Harvest Time: Ripens in June.
- Plant Growth and Care:
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- Sunlight: Needs full sun exposure.
- Soil: Best in loamy, well-drained soil.
- Soil pH: Prefers a pH of 4.5 – 5.5.
- Mature Size: Grows about 4 – 6 feet in height and width.
- Spacing: Recommended spacing of 4 – 6 feet for optimal growth.
- Years to Bear: Starts producing fruit in 2 – 3 years.
- Pollination:
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- Type: Self-pollinating.
- Improved Yield: Cross-pollination with varieties like Bluecrop or Jersey can yield larger crops.
- Zones:
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- Growth Zone Range: Thrives in zones 5 – 7.
The Elliott Blueberry is recognized for its high productivity and vigorous, upright growth. It stands out as one of the latest fruiting varieties, effectively extending the blueberry season well into September. Additionally, this variety is known for its winter hardiness, which makes it particularly suitable for cultivation in colder climates.
Berry Features
- Size: Berries are medium-sized.
- Color: They have a light-blue hue.
Elliott Blueberry
- Taste: The berries offer a sweet flavor and need to be fully ripe for the best taste.
- Firmness: They are known for their firm texture.
- Freezing Quality: Excellent, making them ideal for long-term storage.
Plant Growth
- Maturity Height: Grows to a height of 4-6 feet.
- Age at Shipping: Plants are approximately 1.5 years old.
- Container: Ships in a 1-liter pot.
- Sunlight: Requires full sun exposure.
- Soil: Prefers loamy, well-drained soil with a pH of 4.5 – 4.8.
- Bloom Color: Features pink and white blooms.
- Bloom Time: Blooms late in the season.
Pollination and Fruit Bearing
- Pollination: Partially self-fertile, but may benefit from cross-pollination.
- Ripening Time: Fruits mature and are ready to harvest from late August to September.
- Years to Bear: Starts bearing fruit 1 year after planting, with full fruit bearing in 2 – 3 years.
Plant Size and Spacing
- Mature Size: At full growth, the plant reaches 4 – 6 feet in height and 4 – 5 feet in width.
- Recommended Spacing: Plant 4 – 6 feet apart for optimal growth.
Zonal Compatibility
- Growth Zones: Suitable for USDA zones 4 – 7.
- Additional Features: The plant boasts burgundy-colored leaves and wood, and requires over 800 chill hours for fruit setting.
HardyBlue Blueberry Overview
The HardyBlue Northern Highbush Blueberry is a well-established northwestern variety renowned for its large yields of exceptionally sweet and flavorful berries. This variety is a favorite among home growers, particularly those who enjoy creating homemade blueberry muffins and pancakes. HardyBlue is adaptable to a variety of soil types, including heavy clay soils, making it a versatile choice for different garden conditions.
Key Features
HardyBlue Blueberry
- Berry Characteristics: Produces medium-sized berries known for their superb flavor and sweetness.
- Growth and Structure: Upright growth, reaching 4-6 feet in height, with a spread of up to 7 feet.
- Ripening Time: The berries ripen in mid-season.
- Pollination: Semi self-fertile but achieves greater yields when cross-pollinated with other Northern Highbush varieties.
- Sunlight Requirements: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
- Hardiness Zone: Suitable for zone 4a.
- Ornamental Qualities: Features pretty bell-shaped flowers in spring, with foliage turning brilliant yellow-orange in fall. The plant also has glossy oval leaves and smooth brick red bark that contribute to its aesthetic appeal.
- Edible Qualities: The berries are ideal for fresh eating, cooking, baking, preserves, and freezing.
- Landscape Use: Apart from its edible qualities, HardyBlue Blueberry is suitable for orchard or edible landscaping.
- Maintenance: It is a relatively low maintenance plant, requiring minimal pruning. It is also known for attracting birds and has no significant negative characteristics.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers sandy, acidic soil and is intolerant to alkaline soils. It needs perfect drainage and benefits from mulching.
In summary, the HardyBlue Blueberry is a perfect choice for gardeners seeking a blueberry variety that is not only fruitful and delicious but also adds ornamental value to the garden. Its adaptability to different soil types and resistance to common pests and diseases make it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
The Jersey Blueberry is a late-season variety cherished for its ease of growth, high yield, and long-standing reputation as one of the most widely grown blueberry varieties. Originating from a development in 1916 and introduction in 1928, this variety is celebrated for its hearty and healthy production of blueberries.
Jersey Blueberry
Key Characteristics of Jersey Blueberry:
- Berry Attributes: The berries of the Jersey Blueberry are medium to large, with a dark blue color and very sweet taste.
- Ornamental Appeal: In addition to its fruit, the plant is visually appealing, characterized by its tall and well-shaped bush, making it a great addition to landscapes.
- Bloom Color and Time: The bush blooms late in the season with pink and white flowers.
- Pollination: While it is self-pollinating, larger crops are achieved when cross-pollinated with varieties like Elliott or Darrow.
- Ripening Time: The berries typically ripen in August.
- Sun and Soil Requirements: It thrives in full sun and well-drained, loamy soil with a pH level of 4.5 to 5.5.
- Mature Plant Size: When fully mature, the plant reaches about 6-7 feet in height and 5-6 feet in width.
- Spacing for Growth: It is recommended to space the plants 5-6 feet apart to ensure adequate room for growth.
- Hardiness and Zone Compatibility: This variety is known for its excellent winter hardiness and freezing quality, suitable for zones 4-7.
- Additional Features: The Jersey Blueberry is known for its resistance to cracking and has a firm texture.
Overall, the Jersey Blueberry is an excellent choice for those seeking a dependable and sweet-tasting blueberry variety, offering both ornamental beauty and bountiful fruit harvests.
Misty Blueberry Overview
The Misty Blueberry, introduced in 1989, is a Southern Highbush variety known for its year-round ornamental beauty and delicious fruit. This heat-tolerant and early-season blueberry bush is a popular choice for both its aesthetic appeal and its tasty berries.
Misty Blueberry
Key Features
- Appearance: The Misty Blueberry bush is adorned with hot pink flowers in spring, transitioning to blue-green leaves and producing sky blue, medium to large berries.
- Fruit Characteristics: Berries are sweet with a slightly spicy flavor, perfect for fresh eating or culinary use.
- Bloom Time: Early in the season, with pink blooms that add ornamental value.
- Ripening Time: Berries ripen in June, offering an early harvest.
- Plant Size: At maturity, the bush reaches about 6-8 feet in height and 4-5 feet in width.
- Pollination: Self-pollinating, though planting with another variety can enhance fruit production.
- Sun and Soil Requirements: Thrives in full sun and well-drained loamy soil with a pH of 4.5 – 5.5.
- Hardiness and Climate: Hardy in USDA Zones 5-10, with a low chilling requirement of 300 hours, making it suitable for a wide range of climates.
- Garden Uses: Apart from fruit production, its ornamental qualities make it a great choice for gardens, providing aesthetic value throughout the year.
- Maintenance: Requires mulching in winter for protection and is generally easy to care for.
The Misty Blueberry is a versatile and attractive option for home gardeners, offering both beauty and bountiful fruit. Its adaptability to different soil types and climates, combined with its low maintenance requirements, make it a suitable choice for both new and experienced gardeners. Whether planted for its ornamental value or its delicious berries, the Misty Blueberry is sure to be a delightful addition to any garden.
The Nocturne Blueberry Bush, a new USDA release, features dark black fruit on a 5-6 foot ornamental bush. This hardy variety is a hybrid of three blueberry species, including the Southern Rabbiteye, and is notable for its cold resistance, making it ideal for northern climates. It requires over 800 chill hours to set fruit and is partially self-fertile, though planting another variety alongside can increase yield. The plant is hardy to minus 40°F and suitable for USDA Zones 3-8. It begins bearing fruit 1-2 years after planting and requires well-drained, acidic soil and full to partial sun. Care includes early spring fertilization and post-harvest pruning. The Nocturne Blueberry Bush is a resilient and nutritious choice for gardeners, especially in colder regions.
Plant Details
Nocturne Blueberry
- Latin Name: Vaccinium hybrid.
- Preferred Conditions: Thrives in 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained, acidic soil.
- Pollination: Partially self-fertile. For greater yield, plant alongside another blueberry variety.
- Hardiness: Can withstand temperatures down to minus 40°F.
- Age at Fruit Bearing: Begins bearing fruit 1-2 years after planting.
- Maturity Size: Reaches 5-6 feet in height at full maturity.
Growth and Care
- Bloom Time: Typically blooms in April.
- Ripening Time: Fruit ripens in late July.
- Maintenance: Fertilize in early spring with acid-based fertilizer. Prune dead branches in late winter. Post-harvest, prune non-fruit-bearing branches to encourage next season’s growth.
- Yield: Can produce 15-20 lbs of fruit.
- Pest and Disease Management: Generally resistant to pests and diseases. Use Mylar Flash Tape or netting to protect from birds.
Zone Compatibility
- Suitable for USDA Zones 3-8, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of climates.
The NorthBlue Blueberry is a charming and robust “half-high” hybrid, a cross between northern lowbush and highbush blueberry varieties. Introduced in 1983 and known for its resilience in cold climates, this compact plant can withstand temperatures as low as -30ºF, making it an excellent choice for gardeners in cooler regions.
NorthBlue Blueberry
Key Features:
- Growth and Size: The NorthBlue Blueberry matures to a modest height and width of 2-3 feet, ideal for container growing or small garden spaces.
- Bloom Characteristics: It blooms in mid-season, showcasing white flowers that develop into medium to large, dark blue, sweet, firm, crisp, and juicy berries in July.
- Pollination: While self-pollinating, it yields larger crops when cross-pollinated with varieties like Northcountry.
- Sun and Soil Requirements: Prefers full sun exposure and well-drained, loamy soil with a pH level of 4.5 – 5.5.
- Hardiness Zones: Suitable for USDA zones 3-7.
- Berry Qualities: The berries are known for their sweet taste with a wild flavor, excellent for both baking and fresh consumption.
- Ripening Time: Berries typically ripen in midseason, around August.
- Maintenance: This variety is low maintenance, disease resistant, and requires over 800 chill hours.
- Landscape Appeal: Beyond its fruit-bearing qualities, the NorthBlue Blueberry is also valued for its ornamental appeal, displaying vibrant fall foliage.
- Health Benefits: The berries are rich in Nutraceuticals, compounds known for their health benefits.
In summary, the NorthBlue Blueberry is an attractive, easy-to-grow, and highly productive plant, perfect for home gardens, particularly in colder climates. Its compact size makes it suitable for container gardening, and its delicious berries are a delightful addition to any homegrown fruit collection.
Ochlockonee Rabbiteye Blueberry Overview
The Ochlockonee Rabbiteye Blueberry, named after the Ochlockonee River in South Georgia, is a late-season variety developed by the University of Georgia. This variety is known for its large, sweet, and delicious berries, making it a popular choice for blueberry enthusiasts.
Key Features
Ochlockonee Rabbiteye Blueberry
- Berry Characteristics: Produces medium to large-sized berries that are deep blue in color. The berries are firm, high-quality, and have a good shelf life.
- Ripening Time: Harvest time is between June and July, ripening about a week after the Tifblue variety.
- Yield: Heavy bearer, yielding 3-8 quarts per plant.
- Pollination: Requires cross-pollination with other rabbiteye blueberries, with Powderblue recommended as a companion variety.
- Plant Growth: Vigorous and upright growth with moderately narrow crowns. Produces abundant fruiting stems annually.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 – 5.2.
- Sun Exposure: Requires full sun.
- Frost Resistance: Typically flowers late enough to avoid damage from spring freezes, particularly in south and middle Georgia.
- Plant Spacing: Recommended spacing is 3-5 feet apart.
- Hardiness Zones: Suitable for USDA Zones 6 to 9.
The Ochlockonee blueberry shares similar fruit characteristics with the Tifblue and Powderblue varieties, including stem scar, color, firmness, and flavor. Its late flowering helps protect the harvest from late freezes, making it an excellent choice for growers in regions prone to such weather conditions. This variety is ideal for those seeking a robust, high-yielding blueberry plant that produces large, tasty berries suitable for various culinary uses.
O’Neal Blueberry Overview
The O’Neal Blueberry is celebrated for its exceptional taste and is one of the finest varieties for enjoying the sweet flavor of fresh blueberries. Introduced in 1987, this variety is heat-tolerant and ripens in June. While it is self-pollinating, larger crops are achieved with cross-pollination from another Southern Highbush variety like Misty. It’s particularly known for being one of the earliest ripening Southern Highbush blueberries and is often praised for its delicious taste.
Key Features
O’Neal Blueberry
- Flavor Profile: Known for its exceptionally sweet taste.
- Berry Size: Produces large, firm, juicy, and sweet berries.
- Pollination: Self-pollinating; benefits from cross-pollination.
- Bloom Color: Features pink and white blooms.
- Bloom Time: Early season, typically in March-April.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers loamy, well-drained, acidic soil (pH 4.5 – 5.5).
- Sun Exposure: Requires full sun.
- Maturity Size: Grows to about 4 – 6 feet in height and width.
- Spacing: Recommended planting 4 – 6 feet apart.
- Hardiness Zone: Suitable for USDA Zones 7-9.
- Ripening Time: Fruits ripen in June to July.
- Yield: Can produce 15-20 lbs of fruit.
- Pest and Disease Resistance: Not significantly affected by pests or diseases.
The O’Neal Blueberry is ideal for gardeners seeking early-ripening blueberry varieties with a sweet, robust flavor. Its heat tolerance and attractive foliage make it a versatile choice for various garden settings. The O’Neal variety requires regular watering, especially in dry conditions, and benefits from early spring fertilization and late winter pruning. With proper care, this variety is a delightful addition to any home garden, offering both ornamental beauty and delicious fruit.
The Patriot Blueberry is a remarkable variety known for its exceptionally large, early-season berries, perfect for fresh consumption, baking, and preserves. Introduced in 1976 and developed by the University of Maine, this variety is well-suited for areas with short growing seasons and the need for winter hardiness.
Patriot Blueberry
Notable Characteristics of the Patriot Blueberry:
- Berry Quality: Patriot Blueberries are known for their quarter-size, large berries with a mild, sweet taste and firm texture. They freeze well, making them great for long-term storage.
- Bloom and Fruit Attributes: The plant blooms early in the season with pink and white flowers, and the fruit ripens in June.
- Plant Size and Spacing: When mature, the plant reaches about 3-5 feet in height and 3-4 feet in width. It is recommended to space the plants 3-4 feet apart for optimal growth.
- Soil and Sun Requirements: The Patriot Blueberry thrives in full sun and well-drained, loamy soil with a pH level of 4.5 to 5.5.
- Hardiness and Zone Compatibility: This cold-hardy variety is suitable for zones 3-7 and shows excellent resistance to root rot.
- Landscape Benefits: Beyond its fruit, the plant offers ornamental value with snowy blossoms in early summer and stunning orange foliage in fall.
- Pollination: While it is self-pollinating, planting two or more bushes can yield larger crops.
- Adaptability: The Patriot Blueberry adapts to a variety of soil types, including heavier and wet soils, and can produce up to 20 lbs. of fruit per plant.
Overall, the Patriot Blueberry is a high-yielding, versatile variety that is as much a delight in the landscape as it is in the kitchen. Its ability to adapt to various soil conditions and its impressive winter hardiness make it an excellent choice for gardeners in diverse climates.
Pink Lemonade Blueberry Overview
The Pink Lemonade Blueberry plant is a unique and visually striking addition to the fruit-bearing shrub family. Developed in 1996 as a Rabbiteye x Highbush cross (Vaccinium ‘Pink Lemonade’), this plant is celebrated for its distinctive pink berries, a rare feature in blueberry varieties. The berries evolve from green to pale pink and eventually ripen to a darker pink or purplish-red, creating a stunning contrast against the green foliage.
Pink Lemonade Blueberry
Key Features
- Berry Characteristics: Uniquely pink in color, medium-sized, with a sweet and slightly tart flavor that hints at lemon.
- Ripening Time: Berries typically ripen from late July to early August.
- Ornamental Value: Produces delicate white or pinkish flowers in spring; perfect for hedges, borders, or as standalone ornamental plants.
- Growth Requirements: Prefers full sun exposure, loamy, well-drained acidic soil (pH 4.5 – 5.5), and consistent moisture.
- Pollination: Self-pollinating, but cross-pollination can enhance fruit production.
- Maturity Size: Grows to about 4 – 5 feet in height and width.
- Spacing: Recommended spacing is 4 – 5 feet apart.
- Hardiness Zone: Suitable for USDA Zones 4 – 8.
- Seasonal Appeal: Offers year-round visual interest with spring leaves, summer fruits, vibrant red fall foliage, and reddish-tan winter branches.
- Maintenance: Can be pruned in winter for size and shape control, especially when grown as a hedge.
The Pink Lemonade Blueberry is a must-have for those seeking a unique fruit experience and an attractive landscape plant. Its delightful berries and year-round beauty make it an enjoyable and rewarding addition to any garden. This blueberry bush’s manageable size also makes it ideal for container growing, requiring only simple care like spring fertilization and occasional pruning.
Pink Popcorn Blueberry Overview
The ‘Pink Popcorn’ Blueberry is a remarkable variety known for its medium-sized, pink berries that offer the authentic taste and aroma of classic blueberries. This northern high-bush variety, reaching 4-5 feet in height, is hardy and produces an abundant yield of fruit that ripens early to mid-season. The plants are not only productive but also aesthetically pleasing, featuring showy white flowers and crimson foliage in the fall. This variety is particularly suited for organic farming due to its ease of care and resistance to pests and diseases.
Key Features
Pink Popcorn Blueberry
- Berry Characteristics: Medium-sized pink berries with a darker pink blush, rich in flavor and antioxidants.
- Pollination: Partially self-pollinating; benefits from planting alongside other Northern Highbush varieties like ‘Bluejay’ for enhanced fruit set.
- Bloom Time: Displays late spring blooms.
- Ripening Time: Berries ripen from mid to late summer.
- Yield: Produces a moderate yield, with potential up to 20 lbs. per bush.
- Plant Size: Grows as a medium-sized, upright shrub, 4 to 6 feet in height.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter.
- Sun Exposure: Best fruit production in full sun but tolerates partial shade.
- Hardiness: Can tolerate temperatures down to -20°F (-29°C), suitable for USDA Zones 5-8.
- Maintenance: Low maintenance, ideal for organic gardening.
- Seasonal Appeal: Attractive green summer foliage transitions to red in the autumn.
The ‘Pink Popcorn’ Blueberry is a delightful choice for gardeners seeking a unique berry variety that combines the classic blueberry taste with an unusual pink hue. Its compact growth makes it suitable for smaller spaces, and its ornamental qualities add to its appeal. This variety’s hardiness and adaptability make it a reliable and rewarding choice for home gardens and organic cultivation.
PowderBlue Blueberry Overview
The PowderBlue Blueberry is a robust and high-yielding variety named for the distinct powder blue blush its berries acquire upon ripening. It’s one of the hardiest blueberry plants, characterized by a late ripening season. This Rabbiteye cultivar is perfect for both home gardens and commercial plantings due to its generous yield and sweet-tasting fruit.
PowderBlue Blueberry
Key Features
- Appearance: The bush has an upright growth habit, reaching 8-12 feet in height and width. It features medium to large, firm, light blue berries covered in a soft, powdery coating.
- Flavor: Known for their wonderfully sweet and juicy flavor, the berries are ideal for fresh eating and culinary uses.
- Blooming and Harvesting: Blooms appear in late spring, with a harvest period in late summer, typically from June to July.
- Plant Growth: Exhibits an upright and vigorous growth pattern, ideal for mid to late-season Rabbiteye cultivation.
- Pollination: Requires cross-pollination with two other blueberry varieties for maximum fruit yield.
- Climate Resilience: Less susceptible to late winter or early spring freezes and requires less mulching compared to other varieties.
- Soil and Sun Requirements: Thrives in full sun with well-drained, acidic soil (pH 4.5 – 5.2).
- Plant Spacing and Maturity: Plants should be spaced 3-5 feet apart. It typically reaches bearing age within 2 years.
- Yield: Produces 3-8 quarts of fruit per plant.
- USDA Zone Compatibility: Best suited for zones 6 to 9.
The PowderBlue Blueberry is a fantastic choice for those seeking a late-ripening, high-yielding, and easy-to-care-for blueberry variety. Its delightful flavor and attractive appearance make it a popular choice for both gardeners and commercial growers.
Razz Blueberry Bush Overview
The Razz Blueberry Bush is an extraordinary variety that combines the appearance of a blueberry with the taste of a raspberry. Known for its robust and hardy nature, the Razz Blueberry Bush produces medium to large berries that ripen midseason. The berries are plump, powdery blue, and feature a unique flavor profile with raspberry undertones, making them excellent for fresh consumption and various culinary uses.
Key Features
Razz Blueberry
- Flavor Profile: Sweet-tart with raspberry-like undertones.
- Berry Size: Produces large, firm berries.
- Yield: Good yields, ranging from 15-20 lbs.
- Pollination: Partially self-fertile; planting two varieties can enhance fruit production.
- Hardiness: Capable of withstanding temperatures down to minus 30°F.
- Maturity Size: Grows to 4-5 feet in height and 3 feet in width, with an upright and robust growth habit.
- Bloom Time: Blooms in March-April.
- Ripening Time: Fruits ripen in July.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5).
- Sun Exposure: Thrives in half day to full sun.
- Care: Fertilize in early spring with acid fertilizer and prune in late winter.
- Pest and Disease Resistance: Not significantly affected by pests or diseases.
- USDA Zone Compatibility: Suitable for Zones 4-7.
- Special Note: Too delicate for mass shipping; ideal for farmer’s markets and U-Pick farms. The plant also offers ornamental value with attractive fall foliage.
The Razz Blueberry Bush is a unique and flavorful addition to any garden, especially appealing for its distinct raspberry flavor notes. It’s also an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a blueberry variety that doubles as an attractive landscape plant. This variety, developed by Frederick Coville at the USDA in 1934, is a must-try for those who enjoy unique berry flavors.
Reka Blueberry
The Reka Blueberry, originating from New Zealand, is a distinguished early-season variety known for its vigorous growth and adaptability. It flourishes in a range of soil types, including light sandy, peat, and heavier clay loams, and shows more tolerance to wet conditions than many other blueberry varieties. This makes it an excellent choice for diverse growing environments.
Key Features of the Reka Blueberry:
- Berry Characteristics: The Reka Blueberry produces large, dark-blue, attractive berries. The fruits are known for their sweet, aromatic flavor, making them outstanding for desserts. They are also crack-resistant, which enhances their durability.
- Harvesting and Ripening: The berries ripen early in the season, around the same time as the Duke variety, but with a superior flavor profile. Reka blueberries have a prolonged ripening period, allowing for multiple pickings in one season.
- Plant Size: When mature, Reka Blueberry bushes reach a height of 4-6 feet, making them suitable for both garden and landscape use.
- Ornamental Value: In addition to its fruiting capabilities, the Reka Blueberry bush offers ornamental value with its beautiful red foliage in the fall.
- Hardiness and Climate Adaptability: This variety is notably hardy and performs well in a range of climates, including areas with light frost. It is well-suited for USDA Zones 4 through 10.
- Pollination and Yield: Reka Blueberry is self-fertile, but planting it alongside mid-season and late-season Northern Highbush varieties can increase harvest yields. The plant is capable of producing heavy yields of berries.
- Care and Maintenance: The Reka Blueberry prefers full sun exposure and moist, well-drained, acidic soil. It is pest and disease-resistant, making it a low-maintenance option for growers.
Overall, the Reka Blueberry is a versatile and robust choice for both the home gardener and commercial grower, offering a blend of ease of care, aesthetic appeal, and a bountiful, tasty harvest.
Saint Cloud Blueberry Overview
The Saint Cloud Blueberry, scientifically known as Vaccinium ‘St. Cloud’, is an interspecific hybrid developed by the University of Minnesota. This blueberry variety is renowned for its medium-sized, dark blue, firm berries that are both sweet and crisp. The berries ripen early in the season, making it a great choice for those seeking an early harvest.
Key Features
- Berry Characteristics: The berries of St. Cloud are medium-sized, dark blue, and firm with a sweet, crisp flavor.
- Ripening Season: This variety is known for its early-season ripening.
- Plant Size: The bush typically reaches a height and width of 4 feet.
- Soil Requirements: Like all blueberries, St. Cloud requires acidic, well-drained soil and does not tolerate urban pollution.
- Pollination: For optimal fruit production, it should be planted alongside another variety for cross-pollination, such as Northblue, North Country, or North Sky.
- Ornamental Value: In addition to its fruit, St. Cloud serves as an ornamental shrub, attracting pollinators and songbirds. The foliage turns a vibrant red-orange in fall, adding ornamental value to landscapes.
- Usage: Ideal for low privacy screening, foundation plantings, and container gardening. It’s perfect for raised bed plantings and large containers.
- Cold Hardiness: This variety is well-suited for colder climates.
- Care: Requires full sun exposure, slightly acidic well-drained soil, and moderate, consistent moisture. Pruning should be done when the plant is dormant.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: Suitable for zones 4 to 7.
- Yield: Produces 5-7 pounds of fruit per season.
The Saint Cloud Blueberry is an excellent choice for gardeners in colder regions, offering both delicious fruit and ornamental beauty. Its hardiness and consistent yields make it a reliable and attractive addition to any garden.
The Spartan Blueberry is a distinctive early ripening variety that offers both delicious fruit and ornamental value. Known for its large, tangy-sweet berries, the Spartan Blueberry is a favored choice for early-season fruit production. In the fall, this variety showcases beautiful orange and yellow foliage, adding aesthetic appeal to any garden.
Spartan Blueberry
Key Features of the Spartan Blueberry:
- Berry Characteristics: The Spartan Blueberry produces large berries, comparable in size to a quarter. These berries are known for their tangy-sweet flavor and firm texture, making them a delightful addition to various culinary creations.
- Harvest and Ripening: The berries ripen early in the season, typically in late July. This early ripening makes it an excellent choice for those eager to start their blueberry harvest.
- Plant Size and Growth: At maturity, the Spartan Blueberry reaches about 4-5 feet in both height and spread, with an upright growth habit. It’s well-suited for growing in gardens and landscapes.
- Pollination and Yield: While partially self-fertile, planting Spartan alongside another blueberry variety can enhance fruit production. It’s known to yield between 15-20 pounds of berries per plant.
- Hardiness and Climate Adaptability: This Northern Highbush variety is hardy to -30°F and requires about 800 chill hours, making it suitable for USDA Zones 4-8.
- Care and Maintenance: Spartan Blueberries thrive in well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 4.5-5.5. They benefit from early spring fertilization and annual pruning. The variety is disease-resistant and has minimal pest problems.
- Ornamental Value: Apart from its fruiting capabilities, the Spartan Blueberry is valued for its striking red-orange fall foliage, making it an attractive ornamental plant in the landscape.
Overall, the Spartan Blueberry is an excellent choice for those looking for an early ripening blueberry variety that combines great taste, significant yield, and decorative qualities, suitable for a range of climates and garden sizes.
Sunshine Blue Blueberry Overview
The Sunshine Blue Blueberry is an exceptional choice for mild-winter regions, perfect for small gardens or large patio containers. It’s a low-chill variety, requiring only 150 winter chill hours, making it ideal for warmer climates like California. This variety stands out with its blue-green foliage and striking pink to white flowers in late spring, providing both ornamental and edible value.
Key Features
Sunshine Blue Blueberry
- Growth: Moderately growing, semi-dwarf shrub, reaching 3 to 4 feet in height and width.
- Light Requirements: Prefers full sun.
- Watering Needs: Soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged.
- Bloom Time: Produces blooms in late spring.
- Fruit Production: Yields large crops of dime-sized, tangy-flavored blueberries for up to 9 weeks in summer. Best flavor when fruit turns deep purple.
- Pollination: Self-fruiting but performs best with another variety for cross-pollination.
- Soil Tolerance: Adapts to higher pH soils better than other blueberries.
- Hardiness Zone: Suitable for USDA Zones 5-10.
- Cold Tolerance: Hardy and well-adapted to various climates, including cold, cool, warm, and hot conditions. Can tolerate temperatures as low as 5°F.
Growing Conditions
- Sunlight: Needs a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight daily; can tolerate part shade in warmer climates.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers slightly acidic soil; minimum outdoor soil temperature of 35°F.
- Feeding: Requires moderate feeding.
- Suitability: Not ideal for small gardens but excellent for container growing.
- Fruit Characteristics: Medium to large, rich, and sweet-flavored berries.
Sweetheart Blueberry Overview
The Sweetheart Blueberry, known for its early-season ripening and high praise from blueberry enthusiasts, is a vigorous Northern-Southern cross. It stands out for producing a heavy crop of large, sweet, juicy berries early in the blueberry season. Remarkably, in milder areas, a lighter second crop emerges later in the year. This variety, developed in 1999 and introduced in 2010, is cold-hardy and self-pollinating, yielding up to 15 pounds per plant. The first crop typically ripens in late May to early June, followed by a second crop in August.
Key Features
Sweetheart Blueberry
- Flavor Profile: Known for its sweet-tasting berries.
- Berry Size: Produces large, firm berries.
- Pollination: Self-pollinating.
- Bloom Color: White blooms.
- Bloom Time: Late in the season.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers loamy, well-drained soil with a pH of 4.5 – 5.5.
- Sun Exposure: Thrives in partial shade to full sun.
- Maturity Size: Grows to about 5 – 6 feet in height and 3 – 4 feet in width.
- Spacing: Recommended planting 4 – 5 feet apart.
- Hardiness Zone: Suitable for USDA Zones 4 – 8.
- Ripening Time: First crop in late May or early June; second crop in August.
- Yield: Up to 15 lbs per plant.
- Pest and Disease Resistance: Not significantly affected by pests or diseases.
The Sweetheart Blueberry is ideal for gardeners seeking an early-bearing variety with the added bonus of a potential second harvest. Its adaptability to various sun exposures and soil conditions, coupled with its generous yield, makes it a valuable addition to both home gardens and commercial farms.
Talisman Blueberry Overview
Talisman Blueberry
The Talisman Blueberry, a Highbush type cultivar, is an exceptional choice for growers in north temperate climates, offering reliable productivity and excellent yields. Developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), it is a public domain cultivar well-suited for commercial blueberry production.
Key Features
- Ripening Time: Considered late-midseason, with fruits ripening uniformly.
- Yield: Consistently high, averaging 12 pounds per plant, surpassing other cultivars ripening in the same season.
- Berry Size and Quality: Medium to large berries, averaging 2.0 grams each, comparable to the Duke variety. The berries are firm with superior long-term storage quality.
- Flavor: Mild sweet flavor with little to no acidity.
- Harvesting: Suitable for both mechanical and hand harvest, with over 90% fruit removal efficiency in a single hand harvest.
- Flowering: Late flowering, likely avoiding late spring frosts. Cold-tolerant stems can withstand temperatures as low as minus 16 F (minus 27 C).
- Disease Resistance: Shows good field resistance to mummy berry.
- Pollination: Self-fruitful, making it ideal for solid block planting.
- Plant Availability: Available in 72 cell plugs in April and May; larger sizes in September.
The Talisman Blueberry is characterized by its rounded growth habit, narrow crown, and stocky, vigorous growth, leading to a well-balanced bush. Its late-midseason ripening and concentrated ripening period make it a favorable option for commercial growers. When compared with the early-season variety ‘Duke’, Talisman matches or surpasses it in most fruit quality characteristics except firmness. Both cultivars are noted for their mild flavor. Overall, the Talisman Blueberry is an excellent choice for growers seeking a high-yielding, easy-to-harvest blueberry cultivar with good cold tolerance and disease resistance.
The Polaris Blueberry is a distinctive variety recognized for its deep navy blue color, lacking the matte finish seen in lighter blue varieties. This ‘half-high bush’ type blueberry combines the traits of larger plants, known for their abundant berry production, with the manageable size and care of smaller bushes.
The Polaris Blueberry
Key Characteristics:
- Berry Color and Taste: The berries are a deep navy blue, with a very sweet taste.
- Size: The Polaris Blueberry grows to a height and width of 3-4 feet, making it a compact plant ideal for small spaces.
- Bloom Time: It features fragrant, white, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in early May.
- Ripening Time: The berries mature in late July, offering medium-sized, powder blue, aromatic, and extremely sweet-tasting fruit.
- Type: Known as a ‘half-high’ type of Blueberry, it merges the benefits of both lowbush and highbush selections.
- Maintenance: This variety is low-maintenance and rewards with brilliant orange-red fall foliage.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: Suitable for zones 3-8.
- Sun Exposure: Requires full to partial sun.
- Soil Preference: Prefers rich, moist soil.
- Pollination: Requires another blueberry bush nearby for optimal pollination.
- Growth Rate: Exhibits a medium growth rate.
- Drought Tolerance: Exhibits medium drought tolerance.
The Polaris Blueberry is an excellent choice for those seeking a high-yielding, sweet-tasting blueberry bush that’s easy to manage and perfect for smaller gardens or spaces. Its vibrant color and delightful taste make it a favorite among blueberry enthusiasts.
Top Hat Blueberry Overview
The Top Hat Blueberry is a compact, ornamental blueberry plant, ideal for container gardening or as a foreground plant in landscapes. Developed at Michigan State University, this dwarf variety stands out for its strong flowering, abundant fruit set, and hardiness.
Top Hat Blueberry
Key Features
- Growth Habit: This self-fertile variety has a consistent round growth habit, growing only 20 inches tall and 24 inches wide, making it perfect for small spaces.
- Fruit Production: It produces large amounts of delicious berries, with white blossoms in spring followed by sweet fruit in mid-summer.
- Hardiness: Exceptionally hardy and cold tolerant to zone 3, it’s best grown in zones 3-7.
- Foliage: The plant features small, finely serrated, glossy green leaves, with foliage turning orange and bright red in autumn, adding seasonal color to your garden.
- Soil and Sun: Requires well-drained, acidic soil and thrives in full sun.
- Versatility: Its compact size makes it suitable for patios, container gardening, and as a decorative element in gardens.
- Flavor and Usage: The berries are known for their intense flavor, ideal for fresh eating, baking, and making jams.
- Pollination: While it is self-pollinating, planting it near another blueberry bush can significantly increase fruit production.
The Top Hat Blueberry’s combination of ornamental beauty, compact size, and flavorful berries make it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add both aesthetic and edible elements to their outdoor spaces.
Toro Blueberry Overview
The Toro Blueberry bush, belonging to the Northern Highbush variety, is an excellent choice for growing zones 4-7. It requires 800 to 1000 chill hours for fruitful berry production. This variety is celebrated for its large, juicy, and sweet blueberries that are perfect for fresh eating, baking, and cooking. The berries are never tart, making them delectable for a variety of uses. Notably, the Toro Blueberry plant is self-pollinating and is an extremely heavy producer, making it an ideal choice if you can only have one plant.
Toro Blueberry
Key Features
- Berry Quality: Known for large, sweet berries that are nutritionally beneficial.
- Dual Function: Serves both as an ornamental landscape shrub or hedge and a fruit producer.
- Size and Growth: Grows to 5-6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide.
- Bloom Color: Gorgeous bell-shaped flowers in white and pink, adding ornamental value in spring.
- Foliage: Features attractive dark green leaves, turning to stunning red in the fall.
- Ripening Time: Produces ripe berries in July.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers acidic, well-drained soil.
- Sun Exposure: Thrives in full to partial sunlight.
- Drought Tolerance: Exhibits good drought tolerance.
- Pollination: While self-fertile, cross-pollination with another Northern Highbush variety can increase yield and fruit size.
- USDA Zone Compatibility: Suitable for Zones 4-7.
The Toro Blueberry is a perfect all-purpose plant for backyard growers, offering 4-season beauty with its spring flowers, summer berries, and red fall foliage. Ideal for container gardening or as a landscape feature, this variety sets heavy crops even in challenging weather, requiring acidic soil and partial to full sun for optimal growth. Its hardiness and prolific production make it a top pick for both ornamental and practical gardening purposes.
