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Darrow's Blueberry Vaccinium darrowii 'John Blue'

Phonetic Spelling
vak-SIN-ee-um da-ROW-ee
Description

Many of the varieties of blueberry grown are not suitable for the average homeowner's property due to the plants heights (12-15') and width (10").  That's where Vaccinium darrowii comes in.  With heights and widths under 3', they can make a great addition to the home landscape.  

Known as a highbush variety of blueberry, Vaccinium darrowii is native to the southeastern US, where its natural habitat includes sand hills, scrub and pine flatwoods.  Ideal growing conditions include full sun and acidic soils.  

'John Blue' is a dwarf evergreen cultivar that was developed by North Carolina State University researchers from the native shrub.

Spreading by rhizomes, this plant can form colonies over time.  

Pruning should be completed shortly after flowering, as the flowers bloom on old wood.  The flowers will emerge before or along with the new spring leaves.  

Its berries can be eaten raw, or make a great choice for baked products such as muffins.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Occasionally browsed by deer that are attracted to the twigs.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#deciduous#heat tolerant#low growing#shrub#deciduous shrub#dwarf#deer browsing plant#low growing plant#nci#edible fruits#pollinator plant#edible garden#evergreen shrub#humidity tolerant#compact habit#bird friendly#bee friendly#colonizing#compact#edible#low hedge#pollinator garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#deciduous#heat tolerant#low growing#shrub#deciduous shrub#dwarf#deer browsing plant#low growing plant#nci#edible fruits#pollinator plant#edible garden#evergreen shrub#humidity tolerant#compact habit#bird friendly#bee friendly#colonizing#compact#edible#low hedge#pollinator garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Vaccinium
    Species:
    darrowii
    Family:
    Ericaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Grown for its edible fruits.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern US
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees are attracted to the flowers, while birds and small mammals feed on the small fruits.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Easy to Grow
    Edible fruit
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    The fruits can be eaten both raw or cooked.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Rounded
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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:
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    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 small, rounded fruits contain several seeds. They can be eaten both raw or cooked. Newly formed fruits are gray/green and will mature into blue/black berries.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Clusters of elongated, bell shaped flowers bloom in the spring, then will produce its fruit. The flowers bloom on the growth from the previous year.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The small gray/blue leaves can become darker as they age.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity