Blueberry.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Shrub

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

2 to 3 meters

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 7

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist and acidic to ensure the plant stays healthy. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal a need for more acidic soil or iron supplements. Prune annually to remove old wood and encourage new growth for better fruit production.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.

Feeding

Use an acid loving fertilizer during the growing season.

Pruning

Prune in late winter while the plant is dormant.

Repotting

Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in a container.

Soil

Peaty, acidic, well draining soil

Soil pH

4.5 to 5.5

Temperature

-30 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 20 to 50 years

Fragrance

Light

Deer and rabbits

Low

Safety

People

The plant is non toxic to humans.

Children

The berries are a choking hazard for very small children if not supervised.

Contact allergens

The leaves and stems are generally safe, though some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can cause mild seasonal allergies for sensitive individuals.

Edibility

The berries are safe to eat, but ensure they are not treated with pesticides before consumption.

How to identify it

• Oval shaped leaves with smooth margins
• Small white or pink bell shaped flowers
• Clusters of blue berries with dusty bloom
• Stems turn reddish in winter

Height

1.2 to 3.6m

Spread

1.2 to 3m

Leaves

green, red, orange, deciduous

Flowers

white, pink, 0.5 to 1cm

Fruit

blue, black, Mid to late summer

Problems to watch for

• ChlorosisCommon
• Fruit FlyCommon
• Mummy BerryCommon
• AphidsUncommon
• CankerUncommon
• Japanese BeetlesUncommon
• Root RotUncommon
• Scale InsectsRare

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, seed

When to plant

early spring, late autumn

Overwintering

Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base to protect roots from freezing cycles. Prune dead wood in late winter before new growth begins.

In containers

They grow well in large pots, at least 40 liters, provided the soil remains acidic and moist.

Mulch heavily with pine needles or pine bark to maintain the necessary soil acidity.

Grows well with

• Rhododendron · They share similar acidic soil requirements.
• Azalea · These shrubs thrive in the same acidic, organic rich conditions.

Similar species

• Lowbush Blueberry · It is a much smaller, ground covering relative.

Science

Family

Ericaceae

Genus

Vaccinium

Order

Ericales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern North America

Conservation

This species is widespread and not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in moist, acidic, well drained soils often found in bogs or woodland edges.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, provides food for birds

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ornamental shrub, edible fruit production, wildlife garden

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need two plants for fruit?

Yes, planting at least two different varieties improves cross pollination and fruit yield.

How acidic should the soil be?

They prefer a pH between 4.5 and 5.5.

Where the name comes from

Vaccinium is the Latin name for the bilberry, while corymbosum refers to the corymb like arrangement of its flowers.

Good to know

• Blueberries are one of the few fruits native to North America.
• The berries are packed with antioxidants.
• They require acidic soil to thrive.
• The flowers are bell shaped and hang in clusters.