Common Name: blueberry
Type: Fruit
Family: Ericaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Height: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: May
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Hedge
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Colorful, Good Fall
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies
Fruit: Showy, Edible
Culture
Best grown in acidic (pH of 4.8 to 5.2), organically rich, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Shallow, fibrous roots need constant moisture and good drainage. Plants appreciate a good organic mulch. Although blueberries are self-fertile, cross-pollination produces the best fruit crop (larger berries and larger yields). Therefore, it is best to plant more than one variety that will bloom at the same time. In addition, blueberry season can be extended by planting early, mid-season and late varieties which will collectively ripen from early June to the end of the summer (St. Louis area). Best to remove flowers from plants in the year of planting and in the following year so as to prevent fruit set and to encourage new vegetative growth. Prune as needed in late winter beginning in the third year after planting.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Vaccinium corymbosum, commonly known as highbush blueberry, is an upright, deciduous shrub native to eastern North America where it typically grows in moist woods, bogs, swamps and low areas. Mature plants will reach around 5-8’ tall with an equal spread and a dense, rounded habit. The dark green, ovate to elliptic foliage can reach 3" long and 1" wide and turns bright shades of coppery red in fall. Loose corymbs of white, pendulous, urn-shaped flowers bloom in spring. The flowers can also have a pale pink tinge. The round, sweet berries are dark blue to purple with a dull, blue-grey bloom on their surface.
The genus name Vaccinium comes from an ancient Latin name apparently derived from a prehistoric Mediterranean language. Its origin and meaning are generally considered to be lost to time.
Specific epithet refers to the flowers and fruits being in a corymb.
'ZF06-043' is a dwarf highbush blueberry selection that features colorful foliage and mildly sweet, flavorful berries. Mature plants will reach up to 2' tall with an equal spread and a compact, mounded habit. The new growth emerges in various shades of orange-pink and matures to bright green. In fall the foliage turns deep red-purple and is semi-evergreen in most climates. Loose clusters of 3-5 white, urn-shaped flowers bloom in spring and are followed by round, 0.5" wide, dark blue berries. Often sold at nurseries and garden centers under the name BUSHEL AND BERRY PEACH SORBET. This plant is protected by patent number PP23325.
Problems
Birds love the fruit, so plants may need to be covered with netting as the fruit begins to ripen in order to protect the crop. Chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) may occur in high pH (alkaline) soils. Potential but infrequent disease problems include stem blight, root rot, anthracnose, cane cankers, mildew and botrytis. Blueberry maggot, cherry fruit worm and spotted wing drosophila may attack the fruit. Mummy berry is a fungal disease that causes the berries to shrivel and drop.
Uses
Useful for ornamental purposes (flowers, fruit, quality summer foliage and fall color) as well as for fruit production (blueberries). Suitable for containers or small spaces.