Northern Highbush Blueberry

The Northern Highbush Blueberry, scientifically known as Vaccinium corymbosum, is a popular and widely cultivated type of blueberry that's native to eastern North America. It's prized for its delicious and nutritious berries, attractive foliage, and adaptability to a range of climates.

Here's a breakdown of its key features and botanical information:

Botanical Characteristics

Species: Vaccinium corymbosum
Family: Ericaceae (the heath family)
Growth Habit: A deciduous shrub that typically grows 6 to 12 feet tall, but dwarf varieties are also available. It has multiple stems and an upright, spreading growth habit.
Leaves: The leaves are alternate, simple, and oval-shaped, with a slightly toothed margin. They emerge with a reddish tinge in the spring, mature to a dark green in the summer, and turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall.
Flowers: Small, urn-shaped flowers, usually white or with a pinkish tinge, appear in clusters in the spring.
Fruit: The berries are typically medium to large-sized, blue to dark blue, and covered with a whitish bloom (a waxy coating). They have a sweet and slightly tart flavor.

Growing Conditions

Climate: Northern Highbush blueberries are adapted to temperate climates with cold winters and warm summers. They thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3-7.
Chill Hours: They require a significant number of chill hours (typically 800-1000 hours), which are hours of temperatures below 45°F (7°C) needed for proper fruit set.
Soil: They prefer acidic soil with a pH of 4.5-5.5 and good drainage.
Sunlight: Full sun (6-8 hours per day) is ideal for optimal growth and fruit production.
Pollination: While some varieties are self-fertile, planting multiple varieties for cross-pollination will significantly improve fruit set and berry size.

Why Choose Northern Highbush Blueberries

Adaptability: They are adaptable to a wide range of climates within their hardiness zones.
Large berries: They produce some of the largest and most flavorful blueberries among cultivated varieties.
Ornamental value: They offer attractive foliage, flowers, and fall color, making them a valuable addition to the landscape.
Health benefits: The berries are packed with antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.

If you're considering growing blueberries and live in a region with cold winters, Northern Highbush blueberries are an excellent choice!

Aurora Blueberry Bush

AURORA

The Aurora blueberry bush is considered to have intermediate dependence on a pollinizer, meaning it will produce more fruit if it is cross-pollinated with another blueberry variety.

Here are some good options for cross-pollination with Aurora:

Other Northern Highbush varieties: Since Aurora is a Northern Highbush blueberry, it's best to pair it with another variety from the same group. Some good choices include:
- Elliott: This late-season variety blooms around the same time as Aurora and is known for its high yields.
- Liberty: Another late-season variety that blooms with Aurora, Liberty offers excellent flavor and good disease resistance.
- Legacy: This variety has a slightly earlier bloom time than Aurora but can still provide good cross-pollination. It's also known for its vigorous growth and high yields.

Important Considerations:

Bloom Time: Choose a pollinator that blooms at the same time as your Aurora blueberry bush. This ensures that there are flowers available for pollination when your Aurora is ready.
Genetic Compatibility: While most Northern Highbush varieties will cross-pollinate with each other, some combinations are more effective than others. The varieties listed above are known to be good pollinators for Aurora.
Planting Location: Plant your pollinator within 50 feet of your Aurora blueberry bush for the best results.

By planting a compatible pollinator, you can significantly increase the fruit set and yield of your Aurora blueberry bush.

Blue Profusion Blueberry Bush

BLUE PROFUSION

The Blue Profusion Blueberry Bush (botanical name: Vaccinium corymbosum 'Blue Profusion') is a vigorous and productive Northern Highbush variety that's known for its large, flavorful berries and stunning fall foliage. It's a fantastic choice for home gardeners and those looking to add a touch of beauty to their edible landscapes.

Key Features:

Bloom Time: Mid-season (typically April-May)
Ripening Period: Mid-season (typically July)
Berry Size: Large, up to 1/2 inch in diameter
Flavor: Sweet and slightly tart, with a pleasant aroma
Yield: High yields of delicious berries
Growth Habit: Upright and spreading, reaching 5-6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
Ornamental Value: Beautiful white flowers in spring and vibrant red foliage in the fall

Cross-Pollination

While Blue Profusion is self-fertile and can produce fruit on its own, planting it near another Northern Highbush variety with a similar bloom time can significantly increase yields and berry size. Some excellent cross-pollination partners include:

Bluecrop: A classic and widely adapted variety with a mid-season bloom time.
Blueray: Another mid-season bloomer known for its large, flavorful berries.
Duke: An early-season variety that can extend your blueberry harvest.
Jersey: A late-season variety that can provide pollination overlap with Blue Profusion.

Why Choose Blue Profusion

High yields: Enjoy an abundance of delicious blueberries.
Large berries: The berries are perfect for fresh eating, baking, or preserving.
Dual-purpose: It's both a productive fruit bush and an ornamental addition to the landscape.
Adaptability: It's adaptable to a range of soil conditions, as long as they are well-drained and acidic.
Cold hardiness: It's hardy in USDA zones 4-7, making it suitable for colder climates.

If you're looking for a reliable and productive blueberry bush that offers both beauty and bounty, Blue Profusion is an excellent choice for your garden! Blue Profusion...

Bluecrop Blueberry Bush

BLUECROP

The Bluecrop blueberry is a popular and reliable Northern Highbush variety known for its consistent yields of large, flavorful berries. It's a fantastic choice for both home gardeners and commercial growers due to its adaptability, disease resistance, and overall vigor.

Bloom and Ripening Times

Bloom Time: Mid-season (typically April-May)
Ripening Time: Mid-season (typically late June to early July)

Cross-Pollination

While Bluecrop is partially self-fertile, planting it near another Northern Highbush variety that blooms in mid-season can significantly increase fruit set and yield. Excellent cross-pollination partners for Bluecrop include:

Duke: An early-ripening variety with large, sweet berries.
Patriot: Known for its very large, flavorful berries and cold hardiness.
Blueray: Another mid-season variety with large, flavorful berries.
Berkeley: A mid-season variety with a long ripening period.

Key Features of Bluecrop

High yields: Consistently produces abundant crops of blueberries.
Large berries: The berries are medium to large in size, with a light blue color and a slightly flattened shape.
Excellent flavor: The berries have a sweet and slightly tart flavor, making them ideal for fresh eating, baking, or preserving.
Adaptability: Bluecrop is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, as long as they are well-drained and acidic.
Disease resistance: It has good resistance to common blueberry diseases.
Cold hardiness: It's hardy in USDA zones 4-7, making it suitable for regions with cold winters.

Growing Bluecrop

Sunlight: Plant Bluecrop in a location that receives full sun (6-8 hours per day).
Soil: Ensure the soil is acidic (pH 4.5-5.5) and well-drained.
Watering: Water regularly, especially during the first year after planting and during fruit development.
Pruning: Prune annually to remove dead or crossing branches and encourage new growth.

If you're looking for a reliable and productive blueberry variety that delivers a delicious harvest year after year, the Bluecrop blueberry is an excellent choice for your garden!

Bluegold Blueberry Bush

BLUEGOLD

The Bluegold blueberry is a popular Northern Highbush variety known for its abundant yields of flavorful berries and its attractive ornamental features. Here's a closer look at what makes this blueberry a standout:

Characteristics:

Type: Northern Highbush
Chill Hours: 800-1000
Size: Grows to a height of 4-6 feet with a similar spread.
Growth Habit: Upright and rounded, with attractive yellow fall foliage and yellow winter stems.
Bloom Time: Mid-season (typically April-May)
Ripening Time: Mid-season (typically July)
Berries: Medium to large size, with a sweet and slightly tart flavor. Excellent for fresh eating, baking, and preserving.

Cross-Pollination:

While Bluegold is partially self-fertile, planting it near another Northern Highbush variety with a similar bloom time will significantly increase fruit set and berry size.

Excellent cross-pollinators for Bluegold include:

Bluecrop: A widely adapted and reliable mid-season bloomer.
Duke: An early-season variety that can extend your blueberry harvest.
Patriot: A cold-hardy variety with large, flavorful berries.
Jersey: A late-season variety that can further extend your harvest.

Why Choose Bluegold:

High yields: Produces abundant crops of delicious blueberries.
Disease resistance: Shows good resistance to common blueberry diseases.
Ornamental value: Offers attractive foliage, flowers, and winter stem color.
Adaptability: Grows well in a variety of soil conditions, as long as they are acidic and well-drained.

Planting and Care:

Sunlight: Plant in full sun (6-8 hours per day) for optimal growth and fruit production.
Soil: Prefers acidic soil with a pH of 4.5-5.5. Amend the soil with peat moss or other organic matter if necessary.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first year after planting and during fruit development.
Pruning: Prune regularly to remove dead or crossing branches and encourage new growth.

If you're looking for a productive and attractive blueberry bush that delivers a delicious harvest, the Bluegold blueberry is an excellent choice for your garden!

Bluejay Blueberry Bush

BLUEJAY

The Bluejay blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety. While it's partially self-fertile, cross-pollination with another Northern Highbush variety will significantly increase fruit set and yield.

Here are some of the best pollinators for the Bluejay blueberry bush:

Bluecrop: This is a very popular and reliable mid-season variety that blooms around the same time as Bluejay. It's known for its consistent production and good flavor, making it an excellent choice for cross-pollination.
Blueray: Another mid-season variety with a similar bloom time to Bluejay. It produces large, flavorful berries and is a reliable pollinator.
Duke: While it blooms slightly earlier than Bluejay, it can still be a good pollinator, especially in regions with longer bloom periods. Duke is known for its early ripening and high yields.

Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Bluejay:

Bloom time overlap: Ensure the chosen pollinator blooms around the same time as Bluejay for effective pollen transfer.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Bluejay blueberry bush for the best pollination.

By planting one or more of these compatible pollinators, you'll encourage heavier fruit set, larger berries, and a more abundant harvest from your Bluejay blueberry bush.

Blueray Blueberry Bush

BLUERAY

The Blueray blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety that benefits significantly from cross-pollination.

Here are some of the best pollinators for Blueray:

Bluecrop: This is a very popular and reliable mid-season variety that blooms at the same time as Blueray. It's known for its consistent production and good flavor, making it an excellent choice for cross-pollination.
Duke: While it blooms slightly earlier than Blueray, it can still be a good pollinator, especially in regions with longer bloom periods. Duke is known for its early ripening and high yields.
Jersey: Another mid-season variety that blooms around the same time as Blueray. It's a reliable producer with good flavor.

Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Blueray:

Bloom time overlap: Ensure the chosen pollinator blooms around the same time as Blueray for effective pollen transfer.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Blueray blueberry bush for the best pollination.

By planting one or more of these compatible pollinators, you'll encourage heavier fruit set, larger berries, and a more abundant harvest from your Blueray blueberry bush.

Bonus Blueberry Bush

BONUS

The Bonus blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety that ripens mid-to-late season. While it's considered partially self-fertile, you'll get a much better yield with cross-pollination.

Here are some good choices for pollinators:

Elliott: This is an excellent choice as it is also a late-season bloomer and consistently produces high yields. This makes it a great match for Bonus, which ripens mid-to-late season.
Liberty: Another late-season variety that blooms concurrently with Bonus, offering good flavor and disease resistance.
Aurora: This late-season variety is also a good option for cross-pollinating with Bonus.

Key factors to consider when choosing a pollinator:

Bloom time: It's crucial that the pollinator blooms at the same time as the Bonus blueberry bush. This ensures that pollinators can effectively transfer pollen between the flowers. Since Bonus is a mid-to-late season bloomer, choose other mid-to-late season varieties.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for the best results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Bonus blueberry bush for optimal pollination.

By planting one or more of these compatible pollinators, you'll encourage heavier fruit set, larger berries, and a more abundant harvest from your Bonus blueberry bush.

Chandler Blueberry Bush

CHANDLER

Chandler Blueberry: A Late-Season Giant for Bountiful Harvests

The Chandler blueberry, a Northern Highbush variety, is a standout choice for those who crave massive, flavorful berries and an extended harvest season. It's a vigorous and productive bush that's well-suited for home gardens and commercial operations alike.

Bloom Time:

Late: Chandler blooms later in the spring season compared to many other blueberry varieties. This can be beneficial for avoiding late frosts and ensuring a longer bloom period in your blueberry patch.

Ripening Period:

Late: Chandler is a late-season blueberry, with its berries ripening towards the end of summer, typically from July to September. This extends the blueberry harvest and allows you to enjoy fresh berries for a longer period.
Extended Harvest Window: Chandler is known for its long ripening period, often lasting 4-6 weeks, providing a continuous supply of fresh blueberries.

Chill Hours:

High Chill: As a Northern Highbush variety, Chandler requires a significant amount of chilling time, typically around 800-1000 hours. This makes it well-suited for colder climates with long winters.

Cross-Pollinators:

Partially Self-Fertile: While Chandler can produce some fruit on its own, planting it near another Northern Highbush variety with a similar bloom time will significantly increase fruit set and yield, leading to larger and more abundant berries.
Recommended Cross-Pollinators: Excellent pollination partners for Chandler include:
- Elliott: A very late-season variety that overlaps well with Chandler's bloom time.
- Jersey: Another late-season variety that can extend your blueberry harvest even further.
- Bluecrop: A classic and widely adapted mid-season variety that can also provide good cross-pollination for Chandler.

Other Notable Features:

Giant Berries: Chandler is renowned for its exceptionally large, light blue berries that are juicy and flavorful.
Vigorous Growth: It's a vigorous and productive plant, reaching a mature height of 5-6 feet with a spreading growth habit.
Cold Hardy: Chandler is hardy in USDA zones 4-7, making it suitable for colder regions.

Overall, the Chandler blueberry bush is a fantastic choice for gardeners who value high yields, exceptional flavor, and a long harvest season. Its late bloom and ripening time make it ideal for extending the blueberry season, and its giant berries are a delightful treat for fresh eating, baking, or preserving.ger berries, and a more abundant harvest from your Chandler blueberry bush.

Darrow Blueberry Bush

DARROW

The Darrow blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety known for its very large berries and late ripening. While it is partially self-fertile, cross-pollination will significantly increase fruit set and yield.

Here are some good choices for pollinators:
Elliott: This is an excellent choice as it is also a late-season bloomer and consistently produces high yields. This makes it a great match for Darrow.
Aurora: Another late-season variety that blooms around the same time as Darrow.
Liberty: This late-season variety is also a good option for cross-pollinating with Darrow.

Key factors to consider when choosing a pollinator:
Bloom time: It's crucial that the pollinator blooms at the same time as the Darrow blueberry bush. This ensures that pollinators can effectively transfer pollen between the flowers. Since Darrow is a late-season bloomer, choose other late-season varieties.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for the best results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Darrow blueberry bush for optimal pollination.

By planting one or more of these compatible pollinators, you'll encourage heavier fruit set, larger berries, and a more abundant harvest from your Darrow blueberry bush.

Draper Blueberry Bush

DRAPER

The Draper blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety that ripens mid-season. While it is partially self-fertile, cross-pollination with another Northern Highbush variety will significantly increase fruit set and yield.

Here are some good choices for pollinators:
'Bluecrop': This is a very popular and reliable mid-season variety that blooms around the same time as Draper. It's known for its consistent production and good flavor, making it an excellent choice for cross-pollination.
'Chandler': Another mid-season variety with large berries that can be a good pollinator for Draper.
'Liberty': This late-season variety can also work, especially if your region has a long bloom period, as it may overlap with Draper's later blooms.

Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Draper:
Bloom time overlap: This is crucial. Ensure the chosen pollinator blooms around the same time as Draper for effective pollen transfer.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Draper blueberry bush for the best pollination.

By planting one or more of these compatible pollinators, you'll encourage heavier fruit set, larger berries, and a more abundant harvest from your Draper blueberry bush.

Duke Blueberry Bush

DUKE

The Duke blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety known for its early ripening. While it is partially self-fertile, cross-pollination with another Northern Highbush variety will significantly improve fruit set and yield.

Here are some good choices for pollinators:
'Bluecrop': This is a very popular and reliable mid-season variety that blooms around the same time as Duke (or slightly overlaps). It's known for its consistent production and good flavor, making it an excellent choice for cross-pollination. This combination also extends the harvest season as Duke ripens early and Bluecrop ripens mid-season.
'Blueray': Another mid-season variety that has a similar bloom time to Duke. It produces large, flavorful berries and is a reliable pollinator.
'Spartan': This early-mid season variety can also be a good match for Duke.

Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Duke:
Bloom time overlap: This is crucial. Ensure the chosen pollinator blooms around the same time as Duke for effective pollen transfer. Since Duke is an early bloomer, choose other early or early-mid season varieties.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Duke blueberry bush for the best pollination.

By planting one or more of these compatible pollinators, you'll encourage heavier fruit set, larger berries, and a more abundant harvest from your Duke blueberry bush.

Earliblue Blueberry Bush

EARLIBLUE

The Earliblue blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety, known for being one of the earliest to ripen. While it is partially self-fertile, you'll get a much better yield with cross-pollination.

Here are some good choices for pollinators:
'Duke': This is an excellent choice as it is also an early-season bloomer and consistently produces high yields. The overlapping bloom times make them ideal partners.
'Spartan': Another early-mid season variety that can also be a good match for Earliblue.
'Weymouth': Another early variety that can work well as a pollinator for Earliblue.

Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Earliblue:
Bloom time overlap: This is crucial. Ensure the chosen pollinator blooms around the same time as Earliblue for effective pollen transfer. Since Earliblue is an early bloomer, choose other early or early-mid season varieties.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Earliblue blueberry bush for the best pollination.

By planting one or more of these compatible pollinators, you'll encourage heavier fruit set, larger berries, and a more abundant harvest from your Earliblue blueberry bush.

Elliott Blueberry Bush

ELLIOTT

The Elliott blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety known for its late ripening. While partially self-fertile, it produces significantly more fruit when cross-pollinated with another compatible variety.

Here are some of the best pollinators for the Elliott blueberry bush:
'Aurora': This is an excellent choice as it is also a late-season bloomer and consistently produces high yields. This makes it a great match for Elliott.
'Liberty': Another late-season variety that blooms around the same time as Elliott. It offers excellent flavor and good disease resistance.
'Legacy': While it has a slightly earlier bloom time than Elliott, it can still provide good cross-pollination, especially in areas with longer bloom periods.

Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Elliott:
Bloom time overlap: This is crucial. Ensure the chosen pollinator blooms around the same time as Elliott for effective pollen transfer. Since Elliott is a late-season bloomer, choose other late-season varieties.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Elliott blueberry bush for the best pollination.

By planting one or more of these compatible pollinators, you'll encourage heavier fruit set, larger berries, and a more abundant harvest from your Elliott blueberry bush.

Hardyblue Blueberry Bush

HARDYBLUE

The Hardyblue blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety known for its exceptional cold hardiness. Like most Northern Highbush blueberries, it benefits significantly from cross-pollination.

Here are some good choices for pollinators:
'Bluecrop': This is a very popular and reliable mid-season variety that often blooms around the same time as Hardyblue. It's known for its consistent production and good flavor, making it an excellent choice for cross-pollination.
'Blueray': Another mid-season variety with a similar bloom time to Hardyblue. It produces large, flavorful berries and is a reliable pollinator.
'Patriot': This early-mid season variety can also be a good match for Hardyblue, particularly if your region experiences a longer bloom period.

Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Hardyblue:
Bloom time overlap: This is crucial. Ensure the chosen pollinator blooms around the same time as Hardyblue for effective pollen transfer. Since Hardyblue is generally considered a mid-season bloomer, choose other mid-season or early-mid season varieties.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Hardyblue blueberry bush for the best pollination.

By planting one or more of these compatible pollinators, you'll encourage heavier fruit set, larger berries, and a more abundant harvest from your Hardyblue blueberry bush.

Herbert Blueberry Bush

HERBERT

The Herbert blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety known for its large, sweet-tart berries and late ripening. While it is partially self-fertile, cross-pollination with another Northern Highbush variety will significantly improve fruit set and yield.

Here are some good choices for pollinators:
'Elliott': This is an excellent choice as it is also a late-season bloomer and consistently produces high yields. The overlapping bloom times make them ideal partners.
'Aurora': Another late-season variety that blooms around the same time as Herbert.
'Legacy': While it has a slightly earlier bloom time than Herbert, it can still provide good cross-pollination, especially in areas with longer bloom periods.

Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Herbert:
Bloom time overlap: This is crucial. Ensure the chosen pollinator blooms around the same time as Herbert for effective pollen transfer. Since Herbert is a late bloomer, choose other late-season varieties.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Herbert blueberry bush for the best pollination.

By planting one or more of these compatible pollinators, you'll encourage heavier fruit set, larger berries, and a more abundant harvest from your Herbert blueberry bush.