Introduction

There are five types of blueberry plants that are commonly grown. This article lists and discusses these and their features. Some examples of popular varieties for each type are also listed.

1 .: Northern Highbush Vaccinium corymbosum – These are high chill varieties for zones 3-7 with 800 to 1000 chill hours required. The Northern Highbush Blueberry is a species of blueberry native to the eastern northern United States. They are very cold varieties and are the most widely planted blueberries in the world. If these northern tall shrub varieties don’t get the required amount of chill hours, they won’t produce. These shrubs are classified from zone 3 to zone 7, which includes most of the central, western, midwest, and eastern United States, as well as some parts of Canada. These varieties show shrub shapes from short and compact to tall and open. Berries range in size from ¼ “to over 1” in diameter, and in color from dark blue to light blue. Northern Highbush blueberries require a minimum of 800 hours of chilling for the fruit to set properly. All cultivars are self-pollinated, but will produce better yields if more than one variety is planted.

Some examples include:

• Bluecrop is recommended for growing in zones 4 to 7.
• Bluegold is also sometimes included as a medium tall variety due to its low height and kinship. It is recommended for growing in zones 4 to 7.
• Blueray is recommended for growing in zones 3 to 7.
• Duke is recommended for growing in zones 4 through 7.
• Elliott is recommended for growing in zones 4 through 7.
• Hardyblue is recommended for growing in zones 4 through 8.
• Jersey is recommended for growing in zones 4 to 7.
• Legacy is recommended for growing in zones 5 through 8.
• Patriot is also sometimes included as a medium-tall variety due to its low height and kinship. It is recommended for growing in zones 3 to 7.
• Rubel is a wild variety of the Highbush type. It is recommended for growing in zones 4 to 7.

2 .: Southern Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid) – Southern Highbush hybridizes specifically to produce superior fruit, soil adaptability, heat tolerance and low winter chill. The Southern Highbush blueberry is a cross between the Northern Highbush blueberries and the native southern species, giving it a greater range of adaptation than either parent. The Southern Highbush tolerates a wider range of soil conditions and temperature variations. The fruits are smaller than Rabbiteye blueberries but no less tasty. Most Southern Highbush are self-pollinated, but the berries will be larger if two varieties are planted together. These varieties have low winter chilling requirements. “Cooldown” is a measure of accumulated hours of temperatures below 45 ° F but above 32 degrees F in the off season.

Some examples include:

• Jubilee is recommended for growing in zones 5 through 9.
• Misty is recommended for growing in zones 5 to 10.
• Oneal is recommended for growing in zones 5 through 9.
• Sharpblue is recommended for growing in zones 7 to 9.
• Sunshine Blue is recommended for growing in zones 5 to 10.
• The golf coast is recommended for growing in zones 6 to 10.
• Ozarkblue is recommended for growing in zones 5 through 9.

3 .: Medium tall blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum x V. angustifolium)

Half-High Blueberries is a term used for a group of blueberries with similar characteristics. They are the result, as the name might imply, of crosses between nature’s Northern Highbush and Lowbush blueberry selections. They will grow only 2 to 4 feet tall. They are generally high chill varieties for Zones 3 through 7 and require 1000-1200 chill hours. In recent years, Agricultural Research Stations have launched many new “medium tall” blueberry plants. All of these varieties have the “wild” flavor of their parents. Half-Highs were bred for exceptional cold hardiness, but they are truly exceptional landscape ornamentals wherever they are grown. All of these varieties have amazing fall colors. In general, these shrubs will be able to be partially pollinated, although they will always do better with another variety with which they can cross pollinate.

Some examples include:

• Northcountry– His relationship is (G65X Ashworth) X R2P4 Univ. Of Minnesota. It grows successfully in zones 3 to 7.
• Northsky -. His relationship is (G65 X Ashworth) X R2P4 Univ. Of Minnesota. It grows successfully in zones 3 to 7.
• Northland – Source is Michigan Univ. It grows successfully in zones 3 through 7.
• Polaris – Her relationship is Bluetta X (G65 X Ashworth). It grows successfully in zones 3 to 7.
• Bluegold – His relationship is Blue Haven X (Ashworth X Bluecrop). It grows successfully in zones 4 to 7.
• Friendship – Your source is a native plant seedling found growing near Friendship, WI. It grows successfully in zones 3 to 7.
• Patriot – His relationship is US3 X Earliblue Univ. Of Maine. It grows successfully in zones 3 to 7.

4 .: Wild Lowbush Blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium sp.) These are high chill varieties for zones 3 to 7 and require 1000 to 1200 chill hours. Lowbush wild blueberries are a fruit crop native to the Atlantic from Canada, Quebec, and the state of Maine. Wild blueberries have grown naturally for thousands of years. They are short in stature and, unlike their Highbush cousins, spread primarily by rhizomes or underground corridors, which give rise to new roots and stems. A mature plantation can form a dense ground cover. The abundant white flowers produce small, light blue colored fruits with the distinctive “wild” blueberry flavor. Annual pruning is not necessary, but they respond well if two-thirds of the growth is cut back every two to three years in late winter. They are excellent candidates for landscape borders.

Some examples include:

• Top Hat is a dwarf type cultivar of Lowbush. Top Hat is used strictly for landscape and container ornamental purposes. Recommended for growing in zones 3-7.
• RUBY CARPET is a Lowbush selection developed by the state of Maine. Recommended for growing in zones 3-7. The height of the plants will be 4 to 6 inches at maturity and will spread outward to create the red carpet.

5. Rabbiteye Blueberries, Vaccinium ashei These are low-chill varieties for Zones 7 through 9.

Rabbiteye blueberries have gained popularity throughout the South. Part of the reason for the popularity of rabbit eye blueberries may be that few major pests of rabbit eye blueberries have been identified. Rabbiteye varieties reside in the southeastern United States. They can withstand drought better than Highbush blueberries. They can grow properly in soils with less organic material in them. Rabbiteye blueberries tend to be firmer than southern varieties with thicker skin. The seeds tend to be somewhat more distinct than Highbush. Its shelf life after harvest is exceptional and generally longer than Highbush. The demand for blueberries has increased as more is known about the health benefits of blueberries. Southerners have often not discovered the excellent quality of rabbit’s eye blueberries.

Rabbit’s eye blueberry blight

A gall mosquito, it is a newly discovered pest of rabbit eye blueberries in the southeastern US Mosquito larvae feed indoors and destroy flower buds, resulting in low yields. Rabbiteye blueberry cultivars differ greatly in their resistance to blueberry gall mosquito infestation. Powderblue and Brightwell are very resistant to flower bud damage; Climax and Tifblue are moderately susceptible; and Premier is very touchy. Most Southern Highbush blueberry cultivars are highly resistant to flower bud damage.

Some examples include:

• Premier: It is a rabbit eye that ripens mid-season and produces high yields of firm and delicious fruit. They are recommended to grow in zones 7 to 9.
• Climax- It’s a mid-season ripening blueberry with great flavor! The fruits are firm and an excellent choice for the fresh and processed markets. They are recommended to grow in zones 7 to 9.
• Powderblue – is one of the most attractive late-ripening rabbit eye blueberries. The fruits are medium in size and are easily removed from the plant. The taste is sweet. They are recommended to grow in zones 7 to 9.
• Brightwell- It is a late ripening berry with excellent quality. The taste is good, the size of the fruit and the appearance of the berry is attractive for fresh markets. They are recommended to grow in zones 7 to 9.
• Tifblue- It is a late maturing variety. Tifblue has been the most widely planted blueberry in the Southeast, because it is productive and has firm fruit. They are recommended to grow in zones 7 to 9.

Summary

There are several different types of blueberries that are suitable for different purposes and growing areas. The one thing they all have in common is its high antioxidant capacity and its health benefits. You should grow your own blueberries without pesticides. They can be purchased from a reputable online source. Buy the ones that best suit your growing area.