Native to the United States, these delicious berries need minimal pruning or training and grow well in patio containers. The sweet, summer fruit is packed with goodness and tastes even better when cooked.
How to Grow
Blueberries need moist, acid soil with a pH of 4.0–5.5. They prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade. Plant bare root shrubs in the winter; plant container-grown shrubs at any time if well watered. Add leaf mold of composted pine needles to the planting hole to maintain acidity, and mulch in the spring with more of the same. Space blueberries 4 feet (1.2 m) apart, water well during dry spells, and net developing fruit against birds. Blueberries are partially self-pollinating and can pollinate their own flowers, but they crop better if other varieties are planted nearby. Don’t allow pot-grown plants to dry out, and feed regularly, especially when in fruit. Unless your soil is acidic, grow blueberries in large containers filled with ericaceous, lime-free compost, available from garden centers.
Fruit Characteristics Chart
Plant Troubleshooting
Field Notes
