Vaccinium corymbosum

Highbush blueberry is in the heath (Ericaceae family and is native to eastern North America. It can grow 6 to 12 feet tall. It is an upright, multi-stemmed, slow-growing deciduous shrub found naturally in bogs, swamps, and high elevation forests. It is planted for its edible fruit and beautiful fall color. 

Although blueberries are self-fertile, planting multiple cultivars that bloom at the same time will lead to larger berries and a higher yield. Extend your harvest by planting early, mid-, and late-season blueberry varieties, which will make the fruit season run from June to mid-September. When planting and the year after, remove all flowers so that the shrub can focus on root and shoot growth. The third year after planting you can prune in the late winter to remove dead wood and maintain the shape of the shrub. 

Blueberries require a lower soil pH than many other small-fruit crops and other plants. Therefore, consider grouping them with other acid-loving plants such as hollies, azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias. Before planting, take a soil test. The ideal pH for highbush blueberry is 5.0. Little annual attention is required, except for occasional pruning.

Use highbush blueberry as a hedge or mass planting in edible, pollinator, butterfly, children’s, or rain gardens.

Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.

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. Deer frequently damage these plants. If the soil pH is too high, it will cause chlorosis (yellowing of leaves).

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

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