Which variety is right for me?
Knowing which variety will thrive in your area is extremely important to the success of your blueberry production. Below you will find information about both Northern High Bush and Southern High Bush variety blueberry plants. If you would like more information about our recommendations, please give our office a call. We would be happy to help you determine which varieties would fit well in your area. If you are unsure of your hardiness zone, check this link to USDA Zone Charts:
Northern High Bush Blueberry Plants
Northern High bush varieties are types of bushes that need a high amount of chill hours* to set their fruit. If Northern High bush varieties do not get the required number of chill hours, they may (and often will) grow great, but will not produce any fruit. These bushes are rated zone 4 through zone 7 which includes most of the Central, Western, Mid-West, and Eastern United States as well as some parts of Canada. If you are unsure if they will do well in your area, please ask. We will be happy to speak with you.
*Chill hours are an accumulation of hours where temperature’s reach between 30 degrees F to 45 degrees F (0 degree C to 70 degree C).
BLUEBERRY PLANT DESCRIPTIONS
BLUE CROP BLUEBERRY PLANT – Northern high bush type, 4 to 6 ft. at maturity, fruit ripening mid July, yielding 10 to 20 lbs. per bush at maturity, large fruit size ( approx. 65 berries per cup ) berry quality is firm and very sweet, hand or mechanical harvest. Self pollinating.
BLUE JAY BLUEBERRY PLANT – Northern high bush type, 5 to 7 ft. at maturity, fruit ripening the first to middle of July, yield is 10 to 20 lbs. per bush., fruit size medium/large ( approx. 75 berries per cup ) berry quality is firm, hand or mechanical harvest. Self pollinating.
BLUE RAY BLUEBERRY PLANT – Northern High bush type, average 4 to 6 feet tall at maturity, fruit ripens around mid July, yield is high 10 to 20 pounds expected at maturity, fruit size is very large (around 60 berries per cup), the berry is firm with small picking scar. Best harvested by hand and is an excellent choice for the fresh or u-pick markets. Self pollinating.
DUKE BLUEBERRY PLANT – Northern high bush type, 4 to 6 ft. at maturity, fruit ripening late June/early July, yields 10 to 15 lbs. per bush, fruit size medium ( approx.65 berries per cup ), very sweet, harvesting usually by hand but can mechanical harvest. Self pollinating.
ELLIOT BLUEBERRY PLANT – Northern high bush type, 5 to 7 ft. at maturity, fruit ripening late Aug./early Sept., yields 10 to 20 lbs. per bush, fruit size small to med ( approx. 75 berries per cup ), sweet slightly tangy flavor, hand or mechanical harvest. Self pollinating.
JERSEY BLUEBERRY PLANT – Northern high bush type, 5 to 7 ft. at maturity, fruit ripening late July, yields 7 to 10 lbs per bush, fruit size small/medium ( approx. 110 berries per cup ) known for having the best flavor of all, fruit quality good, hand or mechanical harvest. Self pollinating.
NORTHLAND BLUEBERRY PLANT – Northern high bush type, 4-7′ at maturity, fruit ripening early-mid season, fruit size medium, flavor is sweet. Self Pollinating.
PATRIOT BLUEBERRY PLANT – Northern High bush type, average height is 4 to 6 feet tall, the fruit ripens over a long period from July into August, Yield is high 10 to 20 pound on average, fruit size is very large (averaging from 50 to 60 berries per cup), the berry is firm with small picking scar. Harvesting can be done by hand or machine.
Southern High Bush Blueberry Plants
Southern High bush varieties are types of bushes rated zone 6 through zone 10 and require less chill hours* to set fruit. Some of the varieties we grow only require 150 chill hours, which means they could thrive in Florida, Texas & California. The Southern High bush varieties will do well for much of the Southern and West Coast states as well as some of the South Central states. If you are unsure if they will do well in your area, please ask. We will be happy to speak with you.
*Chill hours are an accumulation of hours where temperature’s reach between 30 degrees F to 45 degrees F (0 degree C to 70 degree C).
BLUEBERRY PLANT DESCRIPTIONS
MISTY BLUEBERRY PLANT – Southern High bush type, 6 feet tall at maturity, fruit ripens early May, yields are high, fruit size is large (approx. 65 berries per cup), fruit quality very good, berries are firm, hand or mechanical harvest, vigorous grower, ripening closely follows Sharp Blue, Misty is often used to pollinate with Sharp Blue for higher yields. Self pollinating.
O’NEAL BLUEBERRY PLANT – Southern High bush, average height 6 feet tall and about 6 feet across, early ripening, yield 10 to 20 pounds at maturity, fruit size large, best for hand harvesting. Flavor good. Self pollinating.
SHARP BLUE BLUEBERRY PLANT – Southern High bush variety, 5 to 6 feet tall at maturity, fruit ripens late April, yield of 8 to 16 pounds per bush at maturity, fruit size is medium/large (approx. 75-80 berries per cup), fruit quality is good to fair they should be shipped same day as harvested to insure good shelf life, hand picking is recommended, Sharp Blue is often used to pollinate with Misty to increase yields, very vigorous grower. Sharp Blue is the number one high bush variety of blueberry grown in Florida. Self pollinating.