Northern Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
Also listed as Cyanococcus corymbosus, Vaccinium constablaei
Also known as Blueberry, Highbush Blueberry, American Blueberry
Climate Match for your location
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A deciduous shrub prized for its clusters of white bell-shaped flowers in spring and abundant sweet blue berries in summer. Foliage turns brilliant red and purple in fall, making it ornamental throughout the growing season.
Why grow it
Northern highbush blueberry outperforms many ornamental shrubs by combining reliable fruit production with landscape appeal across multiple seasons. Unlike lowbush and rabbiteye cultivars, this species tolerates a wider range of soil conditions and produces consistently larger berries suitable for fresh eating and processing. It requires less winter chill than southern highbush types, making it practical for mid-Atlantic to upper Midwest gardens where comparable berry-producing shrubs struggle.
Watch out for
These plants need acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5) and will show nutrient deficiencies if planted in neutral or alkaline conditions. Cross-pollination from a different cultivar significantly improves fruit set and berry size, so single plants often underperform. They benefit from annual pruning to maintain vigor and productivity, and young plants may take 2-3 years to reach full bearing.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A deciduous shrub prized for its clusters of white bell-shaped flowers in spring and abundant sweet blue berries in summer. Foliage turns brilliant red and purple in fall, making it ornamental throughout the growing season.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Northern Highbush Blueberry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Northern highbush blueberry outperforms many ornamental shrubs by combining reliable fruit production with landscape appeal across multiple seasons. Unlike lowbush and rabbiteye cultivars, this species tolerates a wider range of soil conditions and produces consistently larger berries suitable for fresh eating and processing. It requires less winter chill than southern highbush types, making it practical for mid-Atlantic to upper Midwest gardens where comparable berry-producing shrubs struggle.
Watch out for
These plants need acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5) and will show nutrient deficiencies if planted in neutral or alkaline conditions. Cross-pollination from a different cultivar significantly improves fruit set and berry size, so single plants often underperform. They benefit from annual pruning to maintain vigor and productivity, and young plants may take 2-3 years to reach full bearing.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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