Blueberries at a Glance
Some type of blueberry bush can grow almost anywhere in North America. Learn how to grow organic blueberries for vitamin-rich snacks, baked goods and preserves.
April/May 2013
By Barbara Pleasant
The chart below offers tips for growing each type of blueberry, plus a list of the varieties we recommend. In addition to choosing a type of blueberry that suits your climate, plan to grow at least three plants of varying, compatible varieties. Local nurseries may offer ensembles of compatible varieties within the same species group. Learn more about organic blueberry cultivation in All About Growing Blueberries.
| Type | Description | Varieties |
|
Blueberry, |
Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, these are great native shrubs for open woods with acidic soil. Not as productive as other types, but great when used as an edible ground cover along woodland paths. |
Wild plants transplant easily in early spring. Named varieties such as ‘Top Hat’ are good for containers in cold climates. Tasty ‘Brunswick’ and ‘Burgundy’ provide outstanding fall color. |
| Blueberry, northern highbush V. corymbosum |
Best adapted to acidic soils in Zones 5 to 7, but some varieties can survive minus-20-degree winters. Long-lived, 5- to 6-foot upright bushes bear heavy crops with little maintenance and few pest problems. |
Taste-test locally adapted varieties at a pick-your-own farm, and choose three that ripen over a long period. Organically enriched acidic soil brings out the best flavor in ‘Blue Moon,’ ‘Jersey’ and other high-yielding varieties. |
| Blueberry, southern highbush V. corymbosum hybrids |
Fruits resemble those of other highbush varieties, but plants require little chilling, from 150 to 800 chilling hours. Good blueberries for Florida, Southern California and other climates with mild winters. |
Can be grown in containers by pairing compatible varieties such as ‘Misty,’ ‘Emerald’ and ‘Jewel.’ Check with your local extension service for variety recommendations, or visit local pick-your-own farms. |
| Blueberry, rabbiteye V. ashei |
Hardy to about zero degrees, these are the best blueberries for the South. Immature berries are often pink, like a rabbit’s eye. Easy to grow in fertile, acidic soil in Zones 7 and 8. |
‘Tifblue,’ ’Woodard’ and ‘Brightwell’ are top varieties for flavor, vigor and productivity. ‘Powderblue’ matures late and is quite ornamental, turning yellow-orange in fall. |
| Saskatoon Amelanchier alnifolia |
Hardy across the northern United States and |
Varieties with superior flavor and productivity include ‘Martin,’ ‘Northline’ and ‘Pembina.’ Fruits from ornamental varieties are often weak compared with saskatoons grown for their fruit. |
| Locate sources for these blueberry varieties with our custom Seed and Plant Finder. | ||
Contributing editor Barbara Pleasant gardens in southwest Virginia, where she grows vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers and a few lucky chickens. Contact Barbara by visiting her website or finding her on Google+.
