One of the best things about summer is being able to pick and enjoy fresh berries right from the garden. Blueberry plants are not only functional, they are attractive shrubs as well and can add beautiful fall color.
Care is easy. Just give them a sunny location and keep the soil evenly moist. They will reward you with white flowers in the spring, fresh fruit in the summer, and beauty in the landscape.
Most Blueberry plants are deciduous, but you can also find evergreen varieties (see “Sunshine Blue” below). Take at look at a few of these Northwest favorites.
Vaccinium ‘Bluecrop’
White flowers in spring followed by large, light blue blueberries. Very productive variety, reddish foliage in fall. Sun to part sun, Height 4-5ft, spread 4-5ft, Zone 4
Vaccinium ‘Chandler’
Flavorful fruit ripens mid to late season, providing a harvest for up to six weeks. Upright, well branched form makes this an excellent choice for the edible garden, or massed as a hedge in the landscape. Height 5ft – 8ft. Zone 4
Vaccinium corym. ‘Patriot’
Early season variety with large, sweet blueberries. For larger yield plant a different variety nearby for maximum pollination. Spectacular orange and red fall color. Ht. 3-5ft, spread 3-4ft. Zone 4.
Vaccinium corym. ‘Razz’
Mid-season, medium to large blueberries have a hint of raspberry flavor. Excellent for eating fresh or culinary uses. Spectacular fall color makes it an excellent ornamental shrub as well. Ht. 4ft, spread 30-36in. Zone 4
Evergreen Blueberry
Vaccinium ‘Sunshine Blue’
White flowers in spring followed by medium to small dark blue berries that ripen mid-season. Compact habit, sun to part sun. Height 3-4ft, spread 3-4ft. Zone 5.