Northern Highbush Blueberry
Jelly Bean Blueberry Bush
JELLY BEAN
The Jelly Bean blueberry is a dwarf variety from the Bushel and Berry® collection. It's a type of Northern Highbush blueberry, although its compact size and ornamental qualities make it a bit unique. While marketed as self-fertile, it will produce a much better crop with cross-pollination.
Since it's a Northern Highbush, you'll want to choose other Northern Highbush varieties as pollinators.
Here are some good options:
'Bluecrop': This is a very popular and reliable mid-season variety that often has overlapping bloom times with Jelly Bean. It's known for its consistent production and good flavor, making it an excellent choice for cross-pollination.
'Duke': This is an early-season variety that can also work well, especially in areas with longer bloom periods where there's sufficient overlap.
'Reka': Another early-mid season variety that can also be a good match for Jelly Bean.
Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Jelly Bean:
Bloom time overlap: This is crucial. Ensure the chosen pollinator blooms around the same time as Jelly Bean for effective pollen transfer.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Jelly Bean blueberry bush for the best pollination.
Special Consideration for Jelly Bean:
Because Jelly Bean is a dwarf variety, it's often grown in containers or smaller spaces. When choosing a pollinator, consider its mature size as well. You don't want a large, sprawling blueberry bush to overwhelm your compact Jelly Bean.
By planting one or more of these compatible pollinators, you'll encourage heavier fruit set, larger berries, and a more abundant harvest from your Jelly Bean blueberry bush.
Jersey Blueberry Bush
JERSEY
The Jersey blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety, so it needs another Northern Highbush variety for optimal cross-pollination. It's a mid-season bloomer, so you'll want to choose other mid-season or early-mid season varieties.
Here are some of the best pollinators for the Jersey blueberry bush:
'Bluecrop': This is a very popular and reliable mid-season variety that blooms around the same time as Jersey. It's known for its consistent production and good flavor, making it an excellent choice for cross-pollination. It's often considered one of the best overall pollinators for many Northern Highbush varieties.
'Duke': While it blooms slightly earlier than Jersey, it can still be a good pollinator, especially in regions with longer bloom periods. Duke is known for its early ripening and high yields.
'Blueray': Another mid-season variety with a similar bloom time to Jersey. It produces large, flavorful berries and is a reliable pollinator.
Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Jersey:
Bloom time overlap: This is crucial. Ensure the chosen pollinator blooms around the same time as Jersey for effective pollen transfer.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Jersey 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 Jersey blueberry bush.
Jubilee Blueberry Bush
JUBILEE
The Jubilee blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety, so it needs another Northern Highbush variety for optimal cross-pollination. It's a mid-season bloomer, so you'll want to choose other mid-season or early-mid season varieties.
Here are some of the best pollinators for the Jubilee blueberry bush:
'Bluecrop': This is a very popular and reliable mid-season variety that blooms around the same time as Jubilee. 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 Jubilee.
'Legacy': While it has a slightly earlier bloom time than Jubilee, it can still provide good cross-pollination, especially in areas with longer bloom periods.
Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Jubilee:
Bloom time overlap: This is crucial. Ensure the chosen pollinator blooms around the same time as Jubilee for effective pollen transfer.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Jubilee 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 Jubilee blueberry bush.
Legacy Blueberry Bush
LEGACY
Legacy Blueberry: A Bountiful and Flavorful Heirloom
The Legacy blueberry bush, a Northern Highbush variety, is a favorite among gardeners for its exceptional flavor, abundant yields, and stunning fall foliage. Here's a closer look at this remarkable blueberry:
Bloom Time:
- Mid-season: Legacy blooms in the middle part of the spring season, typically around April or May, depending on your climate and location. This makes it a good match for other mid-season blooming varieties for cross-pollination.
Ripening Period:
- Late Mid-season: Legacy ripens its berries in the later part of the mid-season, usually in July or August. This extends the blueberry harvest season and allows you to enjoy fresh berries for a longer period.
Cross-Pollinators:
- Partially Self-Fertile: While Legacy 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.
- Recommended Cross-Pollinators: Excellent pollination partners for Legacy include:
- Bluecrop: A classic and widely adapted mid-season variety known for its reliable yields and flavorful berries.
- Blueray: Another mid-season bloomer with large, sweet berries.
- Patriot: A mid-season variety with large, flavorful berries and excellent cold hardiness.
Other Notable Features:
- Large, Flavorful Berries: Legacy produces abundant clusters of large, firm, and flavorful blueberries with a sweet and slightly tart taste.
- Vigorous Growth: It's a vigorous and productive variety, making it a reliable choice for home gardens.
- Cold Hardy: Legacy is hardy in USDA zones 4-8, making it suitable for various climates.
- Beautiful Fall Foliage: The foliage turns vibrant shades of orange, yellow, and red in the fall, adding ornamental value to your garden.
Overall, the Legacy blueberry bush is an excellent choice for gardeners who appreciate exceptional flavor, high yields, and a long harvest season.
By planting it with a suitable cross-pollinator, you can maximize its potential and enjoy an abundance of delicious blueberries throughout the summer.
Liberty Blueberry Bush
LIBERTY
Liberty Blueberry: A Late-Season Delight for Flavorful Harvests
The Liberty blueberry, a Northern Highbush variety, is a top choice for extending the blueberry season with its late-ripening, flavorful berries and vigorous growth. Here's a closer look at this exceptional blueberry bush:
Bloom Time:
- Mid-season: Liberty blooms in the middle part of the spring season, typically around April or May, depending on your climate and location. This makes it a good match for other mid-season blooming varieties for cross-pollination.
Ripening Period:
- Late: Liberty is a late-season blueberry, with its berries ripening in late summer, generally around July or August. This extends the blueberry harvest and allows you to enjoy fresh berries for a longer period.
Chill Hours:
- High Chill: Liberty requires a significant amount of chilling time, typically around 800 hours. This makes it well-suited for colder climates with long winters.
Cross-Pollinators:
- Partially Self-Fertile: While Liberty 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.
- Recommended Cross-Pollinators: Excellent pollination partners for Liberty include:
- Bluecrop: A classic and widely adapted mid-season variety known for its reliable yields and flavorful berries.
- Patriot: A mid-season variety with large, flavorful berries and excellent cold hardiness.
- Bluegold: A mid-season variety with large, sweet berries and a slightly spreading growth habit.
Other Notable Features:
- Flavorful Berries: Liberty produces medium to large-sized berries with a mild, sweet flavor and a hint of tartness.
- Vigorous Growth: It's a vigorous and adaptable plant, reaching a mature height of 4-6 feet with an upright, open growth habit.
- Cold Hardy: Liberty is hardy in USDA zones 4-7, making it suitable for colder climates.
- Attractive Fall Foliage: The foliage turns brilliant shades of red and orange in the fall, adding ornamental value to your garden.
Overall, the Liberty blueberry bush is an excellent choice for gardeners in colder climates who want a late-season harvest of delicious berries and a vigorous, productive plant.
Planting it with a suitable cross-pollinator will maximize its yield and ensure a bountiful supply of sweet, flavorful blueberries. Soon
Northland Blueberry Bush
NORTHLAND
Northland Blueberry: A Hardy and Productive Choice for Northern Gardens
The Northland blueberry, a Northern Highbush variety, is a fantastic option for gardeners in colder climates who want an early-ripening, productive, and cold-hardy blueberry. Its ability to self-pollinate makes it a versatile choice, and its compact size makes it suitable for a variety of garden settings.
Bloom Time:
- Early: Northland is an early bloomer, typically flowering in early spring. This allows it to take advantage of the cooler temperatures it prefers and get a head start on the growing season.
Ripening Period:
- Early to Mid-season: The berries ripen in early to mid-summer, usually around July. This provides a welcome harvest of fresh blueberries right in the heart of the summer season.
Chill Hours:
- High Chill: As a Northern Highbush variety, Northland has a relatively high chill hour requirement, typically around 800-1000 hours. This makes it well-suited for colder climates with long winters.
Cross-Pollinators:
- Partially Self-Fertile: While Northland is self-fertile and can produce fruit on its own, planting it near another Northern Highbush variety with a similar bloom time can still increase berry size and yield.
- Suggested Cross-Pollinators: Good options include:
- Patriot: A Northern Highbush variety that blooms early and is also very cold-hardy.
- Bluecrop: A classic and widely adapted mid-season variety known for its reliable yields and flavorful berries.
Other Notable Features:
- Flavor: The berries have a sweet and slightly tart flavor, reminiscent of wild blueberries.
- Productivity: It's a productive variety, offering a good yield of berries for its size.
- Adaptability: Northland is adaptable to various soil types and can tolerate slightly wetter conditions than some other blueberry varieties.
Patriot Blueberry Bush
PATRIOT
The Patriot blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety, so it's best to pair it with other Northern Highbush blueberries for optimal cross-pollination.
Here are some good choices:
'Duke': This is a very early-season variety that can be a good pollinator for Patriot, especially if you're in an area with a longer bloom season. It can extend the pollination window.
'Bluecrop': A popular and reliable mid-season variety that blooms around the same time as Patriot. It's known for its consistent production and good flavor, making it an excellent choice for cross-pollination.
'Reka': Another early-mid season variety that can be a good match for Patriot.
Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Patriot:
Bloom time overlap: Ensure the chosen pollinator blooms around the same time as Patriot for effective pollen transfer.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Patriot 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 Patriot blueberry bush.
Perpetua Blueberry Bush
PERPETUA
The Perpetua blueberry is a unique variety because it's a reblooming Northern Highbush. This means it produces a crop in the summer like other blueberries, but then it flowers and fruits again in the fall.
While Perpetua is considered self-fertile, cross-pollination will still improve fruit set and yield, especially for the fall crop. Since it's a Northern Highbush, you'll want to choose other Northern Highbush varieties as pollinators.
Here are some good options:
'Bluecrop': This is a very reliable mid-season variety that often has overlapping bloom times with Perpetua, especially during the main summer bloom.
'Chandler': Another mid-season variety that can be a good pollinator.
'Elliott': This late-season variety might be particularly helpful for pollinating Perpetua's fall bloom, as its bloom time will likely overlap more with the second flowering period.
Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Perpetua:
Bloom time overlap: This is important for both the summer and fall blooms of Perpetua. Choosing a variety with a longer bloom season or one that blooms later in the season (like 'Elliott') might be particularly beneficial.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Perpetua blueberry bush for the best pollination.
Special Consideration for Perpetua:
Because of its reblooming nature, having a pollinator that also has a somewhat extended bloom period, or even a later-blooming variety, can be especially helpful for maximizing the fall crop.
By planting one or more of these compatible pollinators, you'll encourage heavier fruit set, larger berries, and more abundant harvests from both the summer and fall crops of your Perpetua blueberry bush.
Pink Popcorn® Blueberry Bush
PINK POPCORN®
Pink Popcorn® Blueberry: A Delightful and Unique Northern Highbush - The Pink Popcorn® blueberry is a standout variety that offers not only delicious berries but also a beautiful display of pink fruits and vibrant fall foliage. It's a hardy and compact bush, making it a great choice for home gardens with limited space.
Bloom Time:
Early: Pink Popcorn® blooms early in the spring season, typically around April. This can be beneficial for getting a jumpstart on the blueberry harvest, but it's important to be mindful of potential late frosts that could damage the blossoms.
Ripening Period:
Early to Mid-season: The berries ripen in early to mid-summer, usually around July. This provides a delightful harvest of unique pink blueberries right in the heart of the berry season.
Chill Hours:
High Chill: As a Northern Highbush variety, Pink Popcorn® 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 Pink Popcorn® 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: Good options include:
Bluejay: An early-season variety with a similar chill hour requirement.
Northland: Another early-season variety that's known for its cold hardiness and wild blueberry flavor.
Duke: A popular early-blooming variety with large, sweet berries.
Other Notable Features:
Unique Berry Color: Pink Popcorn® produces medium-sized berries that are a beautiful shade of pink when ripe. They have a sweet flavor and a delightful blueberry aroma.
Compact Size: It's a relatively compact bush, reaching a mature height of 4-5 feet with a rounded growth habit. This makes it suitable for smaller gardens or containers.
Cold Hardy: Pink Popcorn® is hardy in USDA zones 3-7, making it a good choice for colder regions.
Attractive Fall Foliage: The foliage turns vibrant shades of red in the fall, adding ornamental value to your garden.
Overall, the Pink Popcorn® blueberry is an excellent choice for gardeners who are looking for a unique and productive blueberry bush with beautiful pink berries and attractive fall foliage.
Its early ripening season and cold hardiness make it ideal for northern gardens, and its compact size makes it versatile for various planting situations.
Reka Blueberry Bush
REKA
Reka Blueberry: An Early-Ripening, High-Yielding Delight
The Reka blueberry bush, a vigorous and adaptable Northern Highbush variety, is a top choice for gardeners who crave an early and abundant harvest of flavorful berries. Here's a closer look at this exceptional blueberry:
Bloom Time:
- Mid- to Late Spring: Reka typically blooms in the middle to later part of spring, which can help it avoid late frosts and extend the overall bloom period in your blueberry patch.
Ripening Period:
- Early: Reka is known for its early ripening season, with berries typically maturing in early summer, often around July. This allows you to enjoy fresh blueberries sooner than many other varieties.
Chill Hours:
- High Chill: As a Northern Highbush variety, Reka 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 Reka 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 Reka include:
- Bluecrop: A classic and widely adapted mid-season variety known for its reliable yields and flavorful berries.
- Duke: An early-blooming variety that can extend your blueberry season and provide good cross-pollination for Reka.
- Bluegold: A mid-season variety with large, sweet berries and a slightly spreading growth habit.
Other Notable Features:
- Flavorful Berries: Reka produces medium to large-sized berries with a rich, well-balanced flavor that is both sweet and tart.
- Vigorous Growth: It's a vigorous and fast-growing plant, reaching a mature height of 4-6 feet with an upright, spreading habit.
- Adaptability: Reka is adaptable to a wide range of soil types and climates within its hardiness zones.
- Attractive Fall Foliage: The foliage turns a beautiful burgundy red in the fall, adding ornamental value to your garden.
Overall, the Reka blueberry bush is a fantastic choice for gardeners who value early ripening, high yields, and exceptional flavor. Planting it with a suitable cross-pollinator will maximize its potential and ensure a bountiful harvest of delicious blueberries Soon
Rubel Blueberry Bush
RUBEL
Rubel Blueberry: A Classic Northern Highbush for Bountiful Harvests
The Rubel blueberry, a time-tested Northern Highbush variety, is a favorite among gardeners for its reliable yields, adaptability, and classic blueberry flavor. Here's a closer look at this dependable and productive bush:
Bloom Time:
- Mid-season: Rubel typically blooms in the middle part of the spring season, making it a good match for other mid-season blooming varieties for cross-pollination.
Ripening Period:
- Early to Mid-season: Rubel berries ripen in the early to mid-part of the blueberry season, usually around July. This provides a delicious harvest right in the heart of summer.
Chill Hours:
- High Chill: As a Northern Highbush variety, Rubel 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:
- Self-fertile: Rubel is self-fertile, meaning it can produce fruit on its own without needing another blueberry variety for pollination. However, planting it near another Northern Highbush variety with a similar bloom time can still increase berry size and yield.
- Recommended Cross-Pollinators: Good options include:
- Bluecrop: A classic and widely adapted mid-season variety known for its reliable yields and flavorful berries.
- Blueray: Another mid-season bloomer with large, sweet berries.
- Patriot: A mid-season variety with large, flavorful berries and excellent cold hardiness.
Other Notable Features:
- Flavorful Berries: Rubel produces small to medium-sized berries with a classic blueberry flavor that's both sweet and tart.
- Adaptable: It's adaptable to a wide range of soil types and climates within its hardiness zones.
- Cold Hardy: Rubel is hardy in USDA zones 4-7, making it suitable for colder regions.
- Attractive Fall Foliage: The foliage turns a vibrant red in the fall, adding ornamental value to your garden.
Overall, the Rubel blueberry bush is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a dependable and productive variety with a classic blueberry flavor. Its self-fertility and adaptability make it a versatile option for various garden settings, and its cold hardiness ensures it can thrive in colder climates. Soon
Sky Dew™ Gold Blueberry Bush
SKY DEW™ GOLD
Sky Dew Gold™ Blueberry: A Golden Delight for the Garden
The Sky Dew Gold™ blueberry, a relatively new variety developed by Proven Winners, is a standout shrub that offers both beauty and bounty. Its bright yellow foliage, cascading habit, and delicious blueberries make it a unique and versatile addition to any landscape.
Bloom Time:
- Late Spring: Sky Dew Gold™ blooms in late spring, typically around May, with delicate white flowers that contrast beautifully with its golden foliage.
Ripening Period:
- Summer: The berries ripen in mid-summer, usually around July, offering a sweet and flavorful harvest.
Chill Hours:
- Moderate: Sky Dew Gold™ has a moderate chill hour requirement, typically around 400-600 hours. This makes it suitable for a wider range of climates compared to some other Northern Highbush varieties.
Cross-Pollinators:
- Requires a Pollinator: While Sky Dew Gold™ is self-pollinating, it will produce a significantly larger crop of berries when planted with another Northern Highbush blueberry variety that blooms around the same time.
- Recommended Cross-Pollinators: Good options include:
- Bluecrop: A classic and widely adapted mid-season variety known for its reliable yields and flavorful berries.
- Duke: An early-blooming variety that can extend your blueberry season and provide good cross-pollination for Sky Dew Gold™.
- Bluegold: A mid-season variety with large, sweet berries and a slightly spreading growth habit.
Other Notable Features:
- Golden Foliage: The most striking feature of Sky Dew Gold™ is its bright yellow foliage, which adds a cheerful touch to the garden throughout the spring and summer.
- Cascading Habit: It has a graceful, cascading growth habit, making it suitable for hanging baskets, containers, or as a groundcover.
- Fall Color: The foliage transitions to vibrant shades of orange and red in the fall, providing multi-season interest.
- Compact Size: It's a relatively compact shrub, reaching a mature height of 2-4 feet with a similar spread.
Overall, the Sky Dew Gold™ blueberry is an excellent choice for gardeners who want a unique and productive blueberry bush with stunning foliage and a cascading habit. Its moderate chill hour requirement makes it adaptable to various climates, and its delicious berries are a delightful bonus to its ornamental value.
Spartan Blueberry Bush
SPARTAN
Spartan Blueberry: An Early-Ripening, Flavorful Northern Highbush
The Spartan blueberry, a classic Northern Highbush variety, is prized for its early ripening, large berries, and vigorous growth. It's a reliable and productive choice for home gardeners in colder climates.
Bloom Time:
- Early: Spartan blooms early in the spring season, typically around April. This can be beneficial for getting a jumpstart on the blueberry harvest, but it's important to be mindful of potential late frosts that could damage the blossoms.
Ripening Period:
- Early: Spartan is an early-ripening variety, with berries typically maturing in early to mid-summer, often around late June or early July. This allows you to enjoy fresh blueberries sooner than many other varieties.
Chill Hours:
- High Chill: As a Northern Highbush variety, Spartan 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 Spartan 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 Spartan include:
- Bluecrop: A classic and widely adapted mid-season variety known for its reliable yields and flavorful berries.
- Duke: An early-blooming variety that can extend your blueberry season and provide good cross-pollination for Spartan.
- Patriot: A mid-season variety with large, flavorful berries and excellent cold hardiness.
Other Notable Features:
- Large, Flavorful Berries: Spartan produces large-sized berries with a tangy-sweet flavor and firm texture.
- Vigorous Growth: It's a vigorous and productive plant, reaching a mature height of 4-5 feet with an upright, spreading habit.
- Cold Hardy: Spartan is hardy in USDA zones 4-7, making it suitable for colder regions.
- Attractive Fall Foliage: The foliage turns vibrant shades of orange and yellow in the fall, adding ornamental value to your garden.
Overall, the Spartan blueberry bush is a great choice for gardeners who value early ripening, large berries, and a productive, cold-hardy plant.
Planting it with a suitable cross-pollinator will maximize its yield and ensure a bountiful harvest of delicious blueberries
Superior Blueberry Bush
SUPERIOR
The Superior blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety developed by the University of Minnesota, known for its cold hardiness and late ripening. To maximize fruit production, it benefits from cross-pollination with other Northern Highbush varieties that bloom around the same time.
Here are some good options:
Elliott: This is an excellent choice as it is also a late-season bloomer and consistently produces high yields.
Liberty: Another late-season variety that blooms concurrently with Superior, offering good flavor and disease resistance.
Key factors to consider when choosing a pollinator:
Bloom time: It's crucial that the pollinator blooms at the same time as the Superior blueberry bush. This ensures that pollinators can effectively transfer pollen between the flowers.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for the best results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Superior 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 Superior blueberry bush.
Talisman Blueberry Bush
TALISMAN
Talisman Blueberry: A Dependable Mid-Season Producer
The Talisman blueberry, a Northern Highbush variety, is a reliable and productive choice for home gardeners, offering a plentiful harvest of flavorful berries in mid-season. Here's a closer look at this excellent blueberry bush:
Bloom Time:
- Mid-season: Talisman blooms in the middle part of the spring season, typically around April or May, depending on your climate and location. This makes it a good match for other mid-season blooming varieties for cross-pollination.
Ripening Period:
- Mid-season: Talisman berries ripen in mid-season, usually in July. This provides a delicious harvest right in the heart of summer, allowing you to enjoy fresh blueberries for an extended period.
Chill Hours:
- High Chill: As a Northern Highbush variety, Talisman 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:
- Self-fertile: Talisman is self-fertile, meaning it can produce fruit on its own without needing another blueberry variety for pollination. However, planting it near another Northern Highbush variety with a similar bloom time can still increase berry size and yield.
- Recommended Cross-Pollinators: Good options include:
- Bluecrop: A classic and widely adapted mid-season variety known for its reliable yields and flavorful berries.
- Blueray: Another mid-season bloomer with large, sweet berries.
- Patriot: A mid-season variety with large, flavorful berries and excellent cold hardiness.
Other Notable Features:
- Flavorful Berries: Talisman produces medium to large-sized berries with a sweet and slightly tart flavor.
- Disease Resistance: It has shown good resistance to mummy berry disease, a common fungal disease that can affect blueberries.
- Adaptable: Talisman is adaptable to a wide range of soil types and climates within its hardiness zones.
- Cold Hardy: It's hardy in USDA zones 4-8, making it suitable for colder regions.
Overall, the Talisman blueberry bush is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a dependable and productive variety with good disease resistance and a classic blueberry flavor. Its self-fertility and adaptability make it a versatile option for various garden settings, and its cold hardiness ensures it can thrive in colder climates.
Topshelf Blueberry Bush
TOPSHELF
Top Shelf Blueberry: A High-Yielding Variety with Exceptional Flavor
The Top Shelf blueberry, a Northern Highbush variety, lives up to its name by producing abundant clusters of large, flavorful berries. It's a vigorous and productive bush that's well-suited for home gardens and commercial operations alike.
Bloom Time:
- Mid-season: Top Shelf blooms in the middle part of the spring season, making it a good match for other mid-season blooming varieties for cross-pollination.
Ripening Period:
- Mid-season: The berries ripen in mid-season, typically a few weeks after Duke blueberries, extending the harvest season and providing a continuous supply of fresh blueberries.
Chill Hours:
- High Chill: As a Northern Highbush variety, Top Shelf requires a significant amount of chilling time, estimated to be around 700-1000 hours. This makes it well-suited for colder climates with long winters.
Cross-Pollinators:
- Partially Self-Fertile: While Top Shelf 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 Top Shelf include:
- Bluecrop: A classic and widely adapted mid-season variety known for its reliable yields and flavorful berries.
- Duke: An early-blooming variety that can extend your blueberry season and provide good cross-pollination for Top Shelf.
- Draper: A mid-season variety that is one of the parents of Top Shelf.
Other Notable Features:
- Large, Flavorful Berries: Top Shelf produces jumbo-sized berries with a light blue color and excellent flavor. They are firm and hold up well in storage.
- Vigorous Growth: It's a vigorous and productive plant, with an upright, vase-shaped growth habit.
- Disease Resistance: Top Shelf has shown good resistance to several common blueberry diseases, including root rot, bacterial cane canker, and botrytis blight.
- Long lifespan: The plants are known for their longevity and can continue to produce abundant harvests for many years.
Overall, the Top Shelf blueberry bush is a fantastic choice for gardeners who value high yields, exceptional flavor, and disease resistance. Planting it with a suitable cross-pollinator will maximize its potential and ensure a bountiful harvest of delicious blueberries.
Toro Blueberry Bush
TORO
The Toro blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety, so it's best to pair it with other Northern Highbush blueberries for optimal cross-pollination. It's considered a mid-season bloomer.
Here are some good choices:
'Bluecrop': This is a very popular and reliable mid-season variety that blooms around the same time as Toro. 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 Toro.
'Blueray': Another mid-season variety with a similar bloom time to Toro.
Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Toro:
Bloom time overlap: This is crucial. Ensure the chosen pollinator blooms around the same time as Toro for effective pollen transfer.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Toro 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 Toro blueberry bush.
Weymouth Blueberry Bush
WEYMOUTH
The Weymouth blueberry is a Northern Highbush variety known for its very early ripening. To ensure good fruit set, it benefits from cross-pollination with another early-blooming Northern Highbush.
Here are some of the best choices:
'Duke': This is an excellent choice as it's also an early bloomer and a reliable producer. Their bloom times often overlap perfectly.
'Earliblue': Another early variety that can work well as a pollinator for Weymouth, ensuring good overlap in bloom times.
'Spartan': While it's considered early-midseason, it can still work well, especially if your region has a slightly longer bloom period.
Key things to remember when choosing pollinators for Weymouth:
Bloom time overlap: This is crucial. Since Weymouth is a very early bloomer, choose other early or early-mid season varieties to ensure good pollen transfer.
Genetic compatibility: Stick to other Northern Highbush varieties for optimal results.
Proximity: Plant the pollinator within 50 feet of your Weymouth 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 Weymouth blueberry bush.
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