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Fruit EdibleShrubs

Vaccinium corymbosum (F)

blueberry

A bushy deciduous shrub to 1.5m tall, with mid-green leaves turning red and purple in autumn. Sprays of small, white or pink urn-shaped flowers in spring are followed by edible, blue-black berries 12mm wide

Other common names

American blueberry
highbush blueberry
see moreswamp blueberry
tall blueberry

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Vaccinium can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs or small trees, with simple leaves and small, bell- or urn-shaped flowers followed by juicy, sometimes edible berries
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Eastern N America

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant in a sheltered site in well-drained, moisture-retentive, acidic soil, (pH 4.5-5.5) in sun or part shade. Alternatively grow in containers or raised beds filled with peat-free, ericaceous compost . Pot grown plants benefit from winter protection. For optimal pollination and yield plant three different cultivars. For further details see blueberry cultivation

Propagation

Take 10-15cm (4-6in) softwood cuttings in late spring or semi-ripe cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Edible fruit

Pruning

More mature plants benefit from regular pruning, see pruning blueberries

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil, especially if container grown

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, root rot and chlorosis due to iron and manganese deficiency; see nutrient deficiencies

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