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Highbush blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum 'Climax'

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Highbush blueberry:

Phonetic Spelling
vak-SIN-ee-um coh-rim-BOH-sum
Description

'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.

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Tags:
#heat tolerant#sweet fruit#deer browsing plant#frost tolerant#edible fruits#pollinator plant#humidity tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#sweet taste#dry soils intolerant#edible#fall color#butterfly garden#pollinator garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#sweet fruit#deer browsing plant#frost tolerant#edible fruits#pollinator plant#humidity tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#sweet taste#dry soils intolerant#edible#fall color#butterfly garden#pollinator garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Vacccinium
    Species:
    corymbosum
    Family:
    Ericaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Edible fruits
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern North America
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds eats the berries. The flowers attract butterflies and bees.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Easy to Grow
    Edible fruit
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    The fruits can be eaten both raw or baked.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The sweet fruits can be eaten raw, often served on cereals as well as added to muffins, pancakes, and pies. The berries start out green and turn reddish/purple. Ripe fruits will be a dark blue.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Urn
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small bell shaped flowers bloom in clusters in the springtime.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The showy green leaves will turn red in the fall.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity