Darrow's Dwarf Blueberry Vaccinium darrowii 'John Blue'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- vak-SIN-ee-um da-ROW-ee
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
