Highbush blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum 'Climax'

'Climax' is a cultivar in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family. This heat tolerant variety will produce fruits that will typically ripen earlier and more rapidly than other cultivars or varieties.  Its early harvesting make it a great plant to include with varieties of blueberries that have a later harvest to extend your blueberry season.   

When grown in optimal conditions, this variety will produce a high yield of dark blue berries.  The best conditions will be a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight daily and contains acidic soil.  An area that contains pine trees is an ideal location for your blueberry plant.  

When planting in full sun, ensure that watering is sufficient to not allow the soil to dry out.  Regular watering should be provided.

When growing multiple plants together, allow enough space between plants in order to be able to walk around the shrub at harvest time.  Six to eight feet apart is ideal.  

The berries of the 'Climax' are large and sweet and have a firm, juicy texture.  They can be eaten raw or included in baking muffins and pies, or added to pancake mix.  

Propagation is best done by stem cuttings from the current years' growth.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Spotted wing drosophila may attack the fruit. Potential but infrequent disease problems include stem blight, root rot, anthracnose, cane cankers, mildew, and botrytis. Mummy berry is a fungal disease that causes the berries to shrivel and drop. Birds relish the fruit, so cover shrubs with netting as the fruit ripens. These plants are frequently damaged by deer. If the soil pH is too high, it will cause chlorosis (yellowing of leaves).

More information on Vaccinium corymbosum.