Plant Profiles: Blueberries

Blueberries:

            General info: Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) are native to Georgia, and are the best type of blueberries for homeowners to grow. They taste great, are a listed superfood, and are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and iron.  Blueberries ripen from late May through the middle of July. To lengthen your harvest season, choose several varieties that ripen at different times. Plant in full sun to part-sun. They are semi self-fertile, but will produce more fruit if more than one type is planted to cross-pollinate.

           

            Landscape uses: Specimen shrub, foundation planting or hedge

           

            Ornamental qualities: Spring blossoms; bluish-green leaves in summer; red leaves in fall; red colored stems in fall/winter

           

            Planting: Transplant blueberries the same depth as in the container. Blueberries like acidic soil; mix peat moss with soil when planting and use pine bark as mulch to help retain acidity. Firm the soil around the plant. Prune about 1/3 of the plant back and remove twiggy growth.

           

            Pruning: When the bush reaches 6-8’ in height, begin removing 1 to 3 of the largest canes each winter by cutting back to 2’ or less. In addition, extra-tall stems can be pruned back to 6-8’ in winter.

           

            Fertilizing/Watering: Water the plants throughout the growing season, unless rainfall is adequate. Fertilize with azalea/camellia fertilizer in the spring after new growth begins. (Azalea/camellia fertilizer is low in nitrogen, which blueberries like.) Fertilize again in May & July if rainfall or irrigation has been adequate. Spread the fertilizer under the plant in an 18” circle.

           

Varieties:

            Becki Blue: Early season, light blue, med. to large berries with sweet flavor. Tall, upright grower.

            Brightwell: Vigorous, upright grower produces plenty of medium size fruit early to mid season. Considered one of the top varieties in the world. Named after blueberry developer Dr. James Brightwell of Tifton, GA.

            Climax: Early season, medium to large size berries with good flavor. Prized for abundant crop production. Excellent choice to extend picking time because of its early ripening period. Upright and open growth habit.

           

            Powederblue: Similar to Tifblue, except for the powdery blush on the berries. Ripens mid-season.

Premier: Early season berries. Very productive and easy-to-grow plant size for the home gardener.

Tifblue: Large, light blue, mid to late season berries with excellent flavor. Large, firm fruit are tart until fully ripe. Some consider this variety to be the best in both taste and appearance.

           

            Woodard: Early season, large, high-quality, light blue berries. Vigorous grower.