Introduction
Blueberries are the most extensively grown fruit crop in the U.S. The heart of blueberry country is in the north with Michigan producing more blueberries than any other state.
The most common cultivated variety in north America is V. corymbosum, the Northern highbush blueberry. Northern varieties are generally for climatic growing zones 3 to 6 depending on the variety. The other important climatic factor is chill hours, northern plants generally require 500 to 1200 chill hours to produce blueberries depending on the variety. When you select plants be sure you select those for the right growing zone.
Hybrids of northern varieties with other rabbiteye species are adapted to southern U.S. climates. Significant numbers of blueberries are now grown in the south.
The highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corimbosum L, is a highly specialized crop with exacting soil and climatic needs (1). It is a perennial plant and consists of a superficial root system. The root system is very fibrous but is devoid of root hairs that make the blueberry plant very susceptible to changing soil water situation. A mature cultivated blueberry plant, five to eight years old, usually has about fifteen to eighteen canes. Growth habit varies among different varieties. Some bushes grow upright; others have a spreading growth pattern.
The following are the most widely grown northern blueberry varieties for each of the three seasons.
Duke -: This is a northern Early Season Variety. It is very prolific producing medium-sized fruit. It blooms late but ripens early and has good flavor blueberries. They can be eaten fresh or frozen. Vibrant red/orange fall leaves. It yields 10 to 15 pounds per bush. USDA Planting zones 4 - 7
Bluecrop -: This is a northern Mid-Season Variety. Bluecrop is the industry's reference for excellence, most dependable and by far the most extensively planted of any variety. It can survive spring frosts quite well with high dependable yields. Thought to be the superior all around variety for consistent yields, large, high quality blueberries, and disease resistance. There is no other variety that is better in the garden. It has Vigorous upright growth. Drought tolerant. Fruit is great for making preserves, baking, freezing and fresh eating. Vibrant red fall leaves. It yields 10 to 20 pounds of fruit per bush at maturity.
USDA Planting zones 4 - 7.
Jersey - This is a northern, late - Mid season variety, Self-pollinating. Growing 5 to 7 ft tall at maturity, has excellent productivity. fruit size small/medium known for having the best flavor of all, fruit quality good, Berries have a good shelf life. Self-pollinating. Jersey is the most important variety in Michigan for over 20 years. yields 7 to 10 pounds per bush at maturity HARDINESS ZONE - SOUTH: 9, NORTH: 4
Elliot - This is a northern Late Season Variety..It blooms late and ripens late. It has an excellent attractive bush shape with sized sky blue fruit. The berries are small, sweet, and slightly tangy.
It is great for baking, making preserves, freezing and fresh eating. It has vibrant red/orange fall foliage. It yields 10 to 20 pounds of fruit per bush. USDA Planting zones 4 - 7
Other popular northern varieties
Early season
Earliblue - This is the first ripening of all blueberries. Produces 5-10 pounds of fruit annually.
Hannah's choice - represents an improvement in flavor, sweetness, and firmness over currently grown early cultivars. The flavor of the fruit is exceptional, being very sweet, sub-acid and mild-flavored with hint of a peach accent. Each plant yields 10-12 pounds of medium-large fruit when it is mature.
Patriot - It is Self-pollinating with an average stature of 3 to 5 feet tall. Patriot makes an excellent container and landscape variety. Yielding 10-15 pounds per bush at maturity.
Spartan - The berries are consistently regarded as among the very best tasting of all blueberries, and the large, glossy green leaves turn orange and yellow in the fall.
Northcountry - Fruit is small to intermediate in diameter. Quality of fruit is good. This bush is most outstanding for landscapes. Yield is 2 - 7 pounds.
Mid season
Blueray - The fruit size is very large and the blueberries are firm have small picking scars. It yields 10 to 20 pounds of fruit when mature.
Nelson - The berries are relatively large, quite firm, and have good shelf life. Each plant yields 10 to 15 pounds of fruit.
Rube - A true wild selection. Rubel is a wild blueberry that has continued to be popular because of it's tasty full flavor and small berries just right for pastries such as muffins. Rubel has an exceptionally high level of anti-oxidants. Yields average 8-10 pounds per bush. Twice as high in antioxidants as other commercial blueberries.
Bluegold - Produces large amounts of truly outstanding fruit, up to 12 pounds per bush at maturity.
Draper - Highly productive, early midseason variety with outstanding fresh blueberries
Northland - It is trouble-free to grow and can grow in many different soil types and has a mid-season ripening time Yielding 15-20 pounds per bush at maturity
Top Hat - Top Hat produces full-sized fruit on dwarf plants! This beautiful, mound-shaped, compact shrub bears many white flowers in spring, and bears plentiful round, firm, dusky-blue fruit. Top Hat is fast becoming a favorite of bonsai enthusiasts since it can be easily restricted in small containers and shaped into a decorative accent, while still flowering and fruiting. Yield 2 to 6 pounds.
Late season
Legacy - The blueberry fruit is very high quality. Legacy stores well, lasting up to five or six weeks without spoiling. Pickers refer to it as the "Gold Bush" due to its heavy production.
Darrow - Darrow boasts among the largest blueberries of all blueberry varieties with some fruit actually growing as large as a half-dollar in size!
Grow your own
Choose blueberries for your growing zone that are organically grown to avoid the possibility of getting blueberries that may contain pesticides and herbicides ingesting pesticides. You can also grow your own in your yard on in containers on your patio to insure your blueberries are pesticide free. You can freeze blueberries you grow and have them for year around use. In addition growing your own can be enjoyable and rewarding. You can purchase blueberry plants free of pesticides from a reliable nursery.
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