Blueberries

Blueberries are a beautiful and productive addition to any garden or landscape. They are fairly easy to grow, require little maintenance, and can produce fruit for many years. As an added bonus, blueberry plants offer attractive fall color and are packed with healthy antioxidants.

Planting and Growing Blueberries

Blueberries grow best in full sun, but they can tolerate some shade (they may produce less fruit in heavy shade). Plants should be spaced about 6 feet apart to give them plenty of room to grow. It is also important to plant at least two different varieties to ensure proper pollination and better fruit production.

Blueberries require acidic soil with a pH between 4.0 and 5.5. It’s a good idea to test your soil before planting. If your soil needs to be more acidic, products like Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier can help adjust the pH.

These plants prefer soil that stays consistently moist but not soggy. During dry periods, extra watering may be needed. Fertilizers designed for acid-loving plants, such as Holly-tone or Miracid, work well for blueberries.

Maintenance and Care

Blueberries are low-maintenance plants. The main care they need is annual pruning to remove older stems and encourage new growth. Because they are a native plant, they adapt well to local conditions and can thrive with minimal effort once established.

Even if you are not growing blueberries for fruit, they make attractive landscape plants and provide food for birds and wildlife.

Blueberry Varieties to Consider

Blue Jay
An early to mid-season variety that produces medium-sized berries with a mild, sweet flavor. Plants grow about 6 to 7 feet tall.

Elliot
A very late-season variety that can produce into September. Berries are sky blue and slightly tart unless fully ripened. This variety also makes an attractive hedge plant.

Blue Crop
A popular mid-season variety known for producing large, firm, high-quality berries. It is a heavy producer and great for fresh eating, baking, freezing, or making preserves.

Blue Ray
Another mid-season variety that produces large, flavorful berries in tight clusters. Plants are hardy and high-yielding.

Jersey
A late-season favorite that grows 6 to 8 feet tall. It produces sweet berries that are especially good for baking and is one of the oldest and most reliable varieties.

Northland
An early to mid-season variety that is very cold hardy. It grows about 4 feet tall and produces sweet berries that are great for jams and baking.

Great Container Blueberries (Brazelberry Varieties)

Brazelberry varieties are excellent for containers or small garden spaces.

Peach Sorbet
Produces sweet, flavorful berries in mid-summer. The plant also offers colorful foliage that changes throughout the growing season.

Jelly Bean
A compact plant that produces sweet, jelly-like flavored berries. It also features attractive foliage that adds seasonal color.

Blueberry Glaze
Produces small, dark berries with a bold, wild blueberry flavor. These berries are especially rich in antioxidants.

Blueberries are a long-lasting, rewarding plant that provides beauty, wildlife benefits, and delicious fruit year after year.