Blueberries Are Easy

These carefree shrubs offer flowers, fruit, and fall color.

Blueberries are one of the simple joys of summer. The round fruit tempts a touch, a gentle tug at a branch, and then a taste. The sweet sensations of this luscious berry will just make your taste buds happy.

A Cinch To Grow

Gardeners do have secrets. One of the best ones is that blueberries are the easiest fruit to grow. Jason Powell, owner of Petals From the Past nursery in Jemison, Alabama, grows and sells a large selection of fruiting shrubs and trees. "You can work blueberries into any low-maintenance landscape with success," he says.

Blueberries have great organic appeal because they have few pests or diseases. And they're ornamental. Beautiful white or pinkish flowers emerge in early spring. Elegant, dark green to blue-green leaves follow the blooms. The fruit is very decorative for many weeks during summer. The foliage later turns brilliant hues of red, yellow, and orange to light up the fall.

They are ideal additions to a shrub border and make good informal hedges in the yard. Space at least 4 to 5 feet apart if planting as individual shrubs. Plant 3 to 4 feet apart for a hedge. Maintain plants to around 6 feet high.

What They Need

You can plant blueberries in full sun to partial shade, but you'll have more fruit in full sun. Plant in moist, welldrained, acid soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5) that is rich in organic matter such as peat. Mulch with pine straw, pine bark, or leaves to protect roots and to keep soil moist. Prune after fruiting is complete.

Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) are best for the Middle, Lower, and Coastal South. Northern highbush blueberries (V. corymbosum) are best for the Upper and Middle South. Shrubs can produce fruit early, in midsummer, or late into the season.

The best time to plant them is from fall through winter. If you can't wait, buy container-grown plants at your local nursery, and water well. It's important to have two or more selections for optimal pollination and fruit production (see chart below for suggestions). Five plants will provide plenty of berries for a family of four.

So add several of these shrubs to your garden for beautiful plants with delicious fruit. For some great tips on what to do with the bounty of berries, see "From Our Kitchen" on page 157.

GENE B. BUSSELL

PICKING BLUEBERRIES

rabbiteye selections

'Austin'(early)

'Climax' (early)

'Premier' (early)

'Brightwell' (mid)

'Powderblue' (mid)

Tifblue'(mid to late)

'Centurion' (late)

Northern high bush selections

'Bluejay'(early to mid)

'Bluecrop' (mid)

'Elliot' (late)

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jun 2004
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