Plump, juicy blueberries aren’t just delicious. They’re high in nutrients, antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. Fortunately, for very little effort, blueberries are easy to grow—if you have the right soil conditions. See our Blueberry Growing Guide to learn how to how to plant, care for, prune, and harvest your blueberry bushes.
Did you know that the modern blueberry is a 20th-century invention? Before the 1900s, the only way to enjoy these North American natives was to find them in the wild. Then, scientists started to unlock the secrets of cultivating blueberries—and we’re glad they did!
- A relative of rhododendron and azalea, blueberry bushes aren’t just a great fruiting plant but also an attractive addition to your overall landscape, offering scarlet fall foliage and creamy-white, bell-shaped spring flowers.
- Plus, blueberries are one of nature’s superfoods, crammed with essential nutrients, minerals and health-boosting polyphenols.
Read more about why you should grow blueberries in your home garden (as if you needed an excuse).
Types of Blueberries
There are four types of blueberries: highbush, lowbush, hybrid half-high, and rabbiteye.
The most commonly planted blueberry is the highbush. Most blueberry breeding has focused on this species, so there are many varieties that range widely in cold hardiness and fruit season, size, and flavor. (Read more about blueberry varieties below.)
Reader Comments
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Hi Joel, Some varieties of
Hi Joel,
Some varieties of blueberries turn pink or red before turning blue. You should have some ripe blue berries soon.
Hello there! I am in southern
Hello there! I am in southern California and am having a hard time with reviving my sister's blueberry bush. Right now it is in a medium size pot in her backyard and looks as if it is almost completely dead. I dont know what to do. Can you please help?
Hi Tiffany, Please read our
Hi Tiffany,
Please read our "care" section on this page. How old is the bush? Is it getting enought sun, water? Is the soil acidic enough? What variety is it? You may have to test the soil and amend it.
What varieties of blueberries
What varieties of blueberries have the largest berries?
What varieties of blueberries have best taste?
What varieties are sweetest?
I am in northeastern Arizona where winters get down to 0 and occasionally a little lower. Summer can get up to mid 90's and low humidity.
I did go thru your many posts and that was quite an education!
Thanks
Hi Chris, Thanks for reading
Hi Chris, Thanks for reading through your comments and your kind words. In your area of Arizona, growing blueberries can be a challenge. Soils in the higher elevations of northern Arizona have a pH range of between 6.7 and 7.3. Blueberries require a soil pH of 4.3 to 5.0. Remember that at least 2 varieties need to be planted for cross-pollination and fruiting.
In terms of variety: "Patriot" produces large size fruit (approximately 55 per cup) and has excellent flavor. Taste is very subjective but many people enjoy "Bluecrop" which produces medium to large fruit (approximately 65 per cup) and tends to be good and tart.
Much of this information comes courtesy of the University of Arizona cooperative extension and we would advise getting in touch with their services for more on-the-ground support.
Bonus and Chandler are the
Bonus and Chandler are the largest while Darrow is right after them.
Best taste is subjective but generally speaking the best tasting plants (among the northern high bushes) are: Legacy, Bonus (very distinctive) Blue gold, Elizabeth, Jersey (smallish), Hannah's choice, Hardy blue and Sparta. Duke, highly rated for productiveness but not for flavor, tastes great to me.
Don't worry too much about it, the worst blueberry I ever had was delicious.
I live in South-Central
I live in South-Central Colorado in a zone 5 climate with lots of sun and fairly temperate winters but low humidity. What would be a good variety of blueberry bush(es) to grow and when should I plant them? Thanks.
Blueberries are not the most
Blueberries are not the most natural berry for Colorado, due to the alkaline soil. Blueberries need acidic soil to thrive (pH 5.5). If you're up for the challenge, 'Earliblue' Highbush blueberries grow in zone 5. You'll need two varieties for cross-pollination. Other highbush types that cover zone 5 are 'Blue Crop", 'Blue Gold', and 'Blue Ray.' Some tips: grow in sphagnum peat moss, ensure that the root zone always stays moist, even in winter, and protect the bushes from winter winds. Wrap bushes with burlap or old sheets while they are dormant.
Im indian,i m having keen
Im indian,i m having keen interst in planting blueberries,especially emerald ones ,is hybridization is possible here,,with othr berries,and what r the neccesary steps required to do the plantation.
I have a blueberry bush that
I have a blueberry bush that I purchased at a local store. I planted it in a large pot because I live in an apartment. It had several berries on it which ripe
ned and I picked. The bush does not seem to be producing anymore. Is that typical? Is there anything that can be done to it to produce again. Also, live in the northeastern US. Will the bush survive the winter?
I just received a blueberry
I just received a blueberry bush from my granddaughter which she has failed to water for most likely a good week. Some of the leaves are very dry and will most likely die, but some are okay and there are berrys on the bush. I need to know if it is a waste to try to revive this bush or should I start over. Also it is in a large pot (patio type container), will it continue to grow or will it need to be replanted?.
Put the container in the sun
Put the container in the sun and give it some water. Blueberries need 1-2 inches of water a week. If it survives you can plant it in the ground next spring.
Are blueberries are loaded
Are blueberries are loaded with fruit. Have gotten several good crops. Now all of a sudden they are getting hard and not turning blue. What is causing that our lack. We had a lot of rain..above average...until about a week ago and not a drop since.
It sounds as though your
It sounds as though your plant(s) may be suffering from "Mummy Berry". A rapid fungus that that infects the blossom by releasing spores into the wind. If you notice tiny mushrooms near by- eradicate them. It may be best to destroy the plant entirely. But, to rid it you must be extremely vigilant. Collect the berries and toss them into a 'Hot" compost pile or remove them completely. If you find you cant get a handle on the disease- destroy the plant(s) and till a new spot.
My blueberry bushes have
My blueberry bushes have spots.....brown ugly spots......they are in full sun ........is my soil bad or is this a type of fungus infection? What are some things I could to remedy this problem?
Wait till next year, it
Wait till next year, it should fix itself.
You mentioned to use 1
You mentioned to use 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to one gallon of water to amend the soil, please mention how often,every watering or once a month?
After adding vinegar, wait a
After adding vinegar, wait a few days to retest the soil's pH before adding any more. Once you get it to your desired pH, test again every 2 or 3 months until the pH stabilizes.
I live in northeastern
I live in northeastern Kansas and just planted 4 Misty and 2 Earliblue. I have not been able to find much on line about either of these. Can you tell me if they are highbush or not and if they are compatible?
Thanks!
Misty is a Southern highbush,
Misty is a Southern highbush, never been to Kansas but I'm pretty sure winters would be too cold for that variety. Misty does do well in containers however so that is an option. I don't have the other variety that I am aware of so no experience with those.
Hello, We have We have 2
Hello,
We have We have 2 bounties, 1 pink lemonade, 1 peach sorbet, 1 jelly bean, 1 bluecrop, 1 toro and 1 chandler blueberry bush.....we are currently renting our home so we don't want to plant our bushes in the ground (plus we don't really have the ground space to do so, there's a spot we could, but our landlord won't let us), so right now we have them in pots just slightly larger than what they came in when we bought them.....and they are so close together that they are touching......what can I do to remedy this situation? I don't want to kill them, but I also really have no where else to put them. :( right now 3 of them are producing berries, but they are really small. I wish I could upload a photo to show how they are.
Jim: I want to transplant
Jim: I want to transplant four blueberry bushes...presently in my yard in town...want to move to my daughter's place in country...two high boys, two. Low...recommendations ?
Hello, When I transplant, I
Hello,
When I transplant, I make certain the location where they are going already has the holes dug. In our area we transplant in the fall NOVEMBER when all the leaves have dropped. Water the plant well so that transporting the root ball is moist. Dig up the plant and wrap the root ball in moist newspaper. Put plant in cardboard box. (Not sure how large the plant is you are transplanting). If your new transplanting location is someplace far away, don't let them set over night in a garage or car. I would get them there immediately after digging up and get them in the ground same day if possible. If that is not possible, you will need to keep them in a cool location - away from the sun and keep that newspaper moist. as you don't want the roots to dry out. Hope this helps...
5 years ago, I planted 4
5 years ago, I planted 4 blueberry bushes (1 each in row order: BlueCrop, Elizabeth, Duke and BlueJay). They are planted in a row about 2.5 feet apart. I know, they are slightly too close together, but on the plus side, they are single file with nothing to either side for about 6 ft.! 3 of the 4 bushes flower and fruit well, but the bushes are slightly small... 3.5 ft tall...
The fouth bush (BlueJay) is huge (well over 6 ft) compared to the others, but does not seem to want to flower or fruit. I found 2 blossoms this year, which was 2 more than last year! Also, compared to the other three bushes, the leaves on the BlueJay are less green... Not really yellow, just not as green, or as deep of green if that makes sense.
I've had gangbusters of fruit from the Duke. But nothing from the neighboring BlueJay.
Is this normal? Should I replace the BlueJay?
Bluejay blueberry bushes grow
Bluejay blueberry bushes grow almost twice as fast as other blueberry varieties so it is normal for it to be much bigger than the other bushes. Not blooming can be caused by being too close to the other bushes, not getting enough water or sun. Have you checked your soil to make sure that it is acid enough? Adding a bit of nitrogen and organic matter (compost or aged manure) to the soil may help the bushes to grow healthier.
I have been growing 8high
I have been growing 8high bush blueberry bushes, 2half high bushes and a small bed of wild blueberry bushes. Last year I had a bumper crop of blueberries from all. This year I learned about pruning the high and half high bushes and pruned them.. Howeve, at this point of the spring the bushes should have lots of buds but I don't see any so far. I live in Maine and we have had a long cold winter. So far the weather is still cool. Any advice to increase bloom production? I plan to use Epsom salt but hope it's not too late.
Hi Michele, Sometimes pruning
Hi Michele,
Sometimes pruning will cause the bush not to bloom in the spring. You will have lots of blooms next spring. Adding ammonium sulfate to the soil will help the overall health of your blueberry bushes.
Will cross pollination occur
Will cross pollination occur better with two different varieties of the same production time (like two varieties that develop mid season, rather than two varities that develop at different parts of the season)?
For best cross pollination
For best cross pollination plant two varieties that bloom at about the same time. The chart at the link below may be helpful.
http://portlandnursery.com/doc...
We have had a dozen high bush
We have had a dozen high bush plants for a few years now, 4 or 5 and they are not bigger than knee high... I really hoped to have large bushes. I do get a hand full of berries off most of them but just enough to eat there not do any saving. I put hollytone on for acid what else??
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