Introduction

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

one.: tall northern bush Vaccinium corymbosum – These are high chill varieties for zones 3-7 with 800 to 1,000 chill hours needed. The Northern Highbush Blueberry is a species of blueberry native to the northern eastern United States. They are high cold varieties and are the most widely planted blueberries in the world. If these northern tall bush varieties do not get the required number of chill hours, they will not produce. These shrubs are classified as zone 3 through zone 7, which includes most of the central, western, midwestern, and eastern United States, as well as some parts of Canada. These varieties display bushy 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 proper fruit set. All cultivars are self-pollinating, but will produce better yields if more than one variety is planted.

Some examples include:

• Bluecrop is recommended for growing in zones 4 through 7.
• Bluegold is also sometimes listed as a medium height variety due to its low height and relatedness. It is recommended for growing in zones 4 through 7.
• Blueray is recommended for growing in zones 3 through 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 through 7.
• Legacy is recommended for growing in zones 5 through 8.
• Patriot is also sometimes listed as a mid-height variety due to its short height and parentage. It is recommended for growing in zones 3 through 7.
• Rubel is a wild cultivar of the Highbush type. It is recommended for growing in zones 4 through 7.

2.: Southern Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid): Southern Highbush are specifically hybridized to produce superior fruit, soil adaptability, heat tolerance, and low winter chill. The Southern Highbush blueberry is a cross between Northern Highbush blueberries and southern native species, giving it a greater range of adaptation than either of its parents. Southern Highbush tolerates a wider range of soil conditions and temperature variations. The fruits are smaller than Rabbiteye blueberries but no less flavorful. These are low chill varieties for use in zones 5 through 10 with 150 to 800 chill hours required. Most Southern Highbush are self-pollinating, but the berries will be larger if two varieties are planted together. These varieties have low winter refrigeration requirements. “Cooling” is a measure of cumulative hours of temperatures below 45°F but above 32°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 through 10.
• Oneal is recommended for growing in zones 5 through 9.
• Sharpblue is recommended for growing in zones 7 through 9.
• Sunshine Blue is recommended for growing in zones 5 through 10.
• Golf Coast is recommended for growing in zones 6 through 10.
• Ozarkblue is recommended for growing in zones 5 through 9.

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

Medium tall blueberries is a term used for a group of blueberry bushes with similar characteristics. They are the result, as their name might imply, of crosses between Northern Highbush and Lowbush selections of wild blueberries. They will grow only 2 to 4 feet. high. These are generally high chill varieties for Zones 3 through 7 and need 1,000 to 1,200 chill hours. In recent years, Agricultural Research Stations have released many new “mid-height” blueberry plants. All of these varieties have the “wild” flavor of their parents. Half-Highs were bred for exceptional cold hardiness, but they make truly outstanding landscape ornamentals wherever grown. All of these varieties have incredible fall colors. In general, these shrubs will be able to partially self-pollinate, although they will always do better with another variety with which they can cross-pollinate.

Some examples include:

• Northcountry– Parent is (G65X Ashworth) X R2P4 Univ. of Minnesota Grows successfully in zones 3-7.
• Northsky–.Related to (G65 X Ashworth) X R2P4 Univ. of Minnesota. Grows successfully in zones 3 through 7.
• Northland – Sourced from Michigan Univ. Grows successfully in zones 3 through 7.
• Polaris – Its origin is Bluetta X (G65 X Ashworth). It grows successfully in zones 3 through 7.
• Bluegold — Its origin is Blue Haven X (Ashworth X Bluecrop). It grows successfully in zones 4 through 7.
• Amistad – Its source is a seedling of a native plant that grows near Amistad, WI. It grows successfully in zones 3 through 7.
• Patriot – Its origin is US3 X Earliblue Univ. of Maine. It grows successfully in zones 3 through 7.

4. : Wild Lowbush Blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium sp.) These are high chill varieties for zones 3 through 7 and need 1000 to 1200 chill hours. Wild Lowbush blueberries are a fruit crop native to Atlantic 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 mainly by rhizomes or underground stolons, which give rise to new roots and stems. A mature planting can form a dense ground cover. The profuse white flowers produce small, light blue fruits with the distinctive flavor of “wild” blueberries. Annual pruning is not necessary, but they do well if two-thirds of the growth is cut back every two to three years in late winter. They are excellent candidates for landscape edges.

Some examples include:

• Top Hat is Lowbush, a dwarf type cultivar. Top Hat is used strictly for container and landscape ornamental purposes. It is recommended to grow in zones 3-7.
• RUBY CARPET is a Lowbush selection developed by the State of Maine. It is recommended to grow 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 rabbiteye cranberries may be that few major pests of rabbiteye cranberries have been identified. Rabbiteye varieties reside in the southeastern US. Rabbiteye plants are more vigorous, easier to care for, and live longer than most southern varieties. They can handle drought better than Highbush blueberries. They can grow adequately in soils with a lesser amount of organic matter in them. Rabbiteye blueberries are typically firmer than southern varieties with thicker skin. Seeds tend to be somewhat more distinct than Highbush. Its shelf life after harvest is exceptional and generally superior to Highbush. 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 Plague

A gall midge, it is a newly discovered pest of rabbiteye blueberries in the southeastern US. The midge larvae feed indoors and destroy flower buds, resulting in poor yields. Rabbiteye blueberry cultivars differ greatly in their resistance to infestation by blueberry gall midges. Powderblue and Brightwell are highly resistant to flower bud damage; Climax and Tifblue are moderately susceptible; and Premier is highly susceptible. Most southern Highbush blueberry cultivars are highly resistant to flower bud damage.

Some examples include:

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

Resume

There are a number of different types of blueberries that are suitable for different purposes and growing areas. The only thing they all have in common is their high antioxidant capacity and 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.