Highbush Blueberry

Botanical Name

:

Vaccinium corymbosum

Plant Type

:

Deciduous shrub

Seasons

:

Plant in early spring or early summer; blooms in mid to late spring

Sun Level

:

Full sun to partial shade; thrives in at least 6 hours of daily sunlight

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C)

Soil Type

:

Acidic, well-drained soil with high organic matter

Hardiness Zones

:

3–8 (USDA)

Germination

:

1–3 months

P.H. Level

:

4.0–5.5

Water/Irrigation

:

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulch to retain moisture

Fertilization

:

Use a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in early spring

Habit

:

Upright, multi-stemmed shrub forming a dense thicket

Propagation

:

Seeds and cuttings

Final Plant Height

:

6–12 ft

Spread

:

6–12 ft

Flowers

:

Small, bell-shaped flowers that are typically white or pale pink; bloom in clusters

Attracts

:

Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Uses

:

Ornamental, edible garden, pollinator garden, rain garden

Companions

:

Azaleas, rhododendrons, hollies, camellias

Pruning

:

Prune in late winter to remove dead wood and maintain shape. Remove flowers in the first two years to promote root and shoot growth

Toxicity

:

Non-toxic to humans and pets

Pests

:

Spotted wing drosophila, birds (netting recommended during fruiting season)

Diseases

:

Stem blight, root rot, anthracnose, cane cankers, mildew, botrytis, mummy berry

Additional Info

:

Highbush blueberry is one of the most common commercially grown blueberries in North America. It was cultivated by Native American tribes for food and medicinal purposes

Botanical Name

:

Vaccinium corymbosum

Plant Type

:

Deciduous shrub

Seasons

:

Plant in early spring or early summer; blooms in mid to late spring

Sun Level

:

Full sun to partial shade; thrives in at least 6 hours of daily sunlight

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C)

Soil Type

:

Acidic, well-drained soil with high organic matter

Hardiness Zones

:

3–8 (USDA)

Germination

:

1–3 months

P.H. Level

:

4.0–5.5

Water/Irrigation

:

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulch to retain moisture

Fertilization

:

Use a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in early spring

Habit

:

Upright, multi-stemmed shrub forming a dense thicket

Propagation

:

Seeds and cuttings

Final Plant Height

:

6–12 ft

Spread

:

6–12 ft

Flowers

:

Small, bell-shaped flowers that are typically white or pale pink; bloom in clusters

Attracts

:

Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Uses

:

Ornamental, edible garden, pollinator garden, rain garden

Companions

:

Azaleas, rhododendrons, hollies, camellias

Pruning

:

Prune in late winter to remove dead wood and maintain shape. Remove flowers in the first two years to promote root and shoot growth

Toxicity

:

Non-toxic to humans and pets

Pests

:

Spotted wing drosophila, birds (netting recommended during fruiting season)

Diseases

:

Stem blight, root rot, anthracnose, cane cankers, mildew, botrytis, mummy berry

Additional Info

:

Highbush blueberry is one of the most common commercially grown blueberries in North America. It was cultivated by Native American tribes for food and medicinal purposes

Written by Nondiah Khalayi – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nondiah-khalayi/