Readers ask: How High Are High Bush Blueberry Plants?

How tall are highbush blueberries?

Highbush blueberries The ones you find fresh in grocery stores – grow on bushes that are often planted in long rows. The bushes can grow up to 12 feet tall, but most peak at about 6 feet. In the spring, clusters of beautiful white blossoms pop up all over the bushes and are pollinated by bees.

What is the height of a blueberry?

Blueberries are grouped by plant size. Highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Jubilee’, for example) are 6 to 12 feet tall at maturity, while half-high blueberries (such as Vaccinium ‘Chippewa’) usually grow 2 to 4 feet tall.

Where should I plant high bush blueberries?

Plant your highbush blueberries in a well-drained site with full sun. The soil should be high in organic matter and should preferably be sandy. Growing highbush blueberries in clay soil is difficult.

How fast do high bush blueberries grow?

If you plant 2-year-old blueberry bushes, they should start to bear within a year or two. (Pick off any flowers that form the first year or two after planting, to allow the bush to become established.) Be aware that full production is only reached after about 6 years (depending on variety).

What should I look for when buying a blueberry bush?

When you buy fresh blueberries, look for berries that are firm, dry, plump and smooth-skinned, with a silvery surface bloom and no leaves or stems. Size isn’t an indicator of maturity but color is – berries should be deep purple-blue to blue-black.

Are blueberries hard to grow?

Native to North America, blueberries grow well in acidic soil and in areas with at least 140 frost-free days per year. They’re also perfect for organic gardeners since they can easily be grown without pesticides. This reliable plant is super easy to grow and produces pounds and pounds of blueberries.

Do I need 2 blueberry bushes to get fruit?

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) bushes are self-pollinating to an extent, but grow larger fruit through cross-pollination by a second variety. Bees and wind help bushes to cross-pollinate, although the bushes need to be near each other to be productive.

Do blueberry plants make good hedges?

Blueberries make excellent hedges if planted correctly and the right varieties are used. Place plants 2-1/2 to 3 feet apart. For uniform shape and texture, use the same variety throughout the row. For tall hedges use the faster growing, upright varieties such as Jersey or Bluecrop.

How long do blueberry bushes live?

With proper care and in the right environment, blueberry bushes live 50 years or more.

What is the best blueberry bush to buy?

The best selection is the highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), our native species which is ideally suited to all three growth zones of the Garden State. Highbush blueberry cultivars have an inherent resistance to many diseases of fruit, flower, and foliage.

Do blueberry bushes die in winter?

Blueberry Winter Damage: Care Of Blueberries In Winter. Most perennials become dormant during the late fall and winter to protect themselves from the cold temperatures; blueberries are no exception. In most cases, blueberry plant growth slows as dormancy develops and the cold hardiness of the plant increases.

Do blueberry bushes need full sun?

Blueberry plants need full sun: Blueberries will tolerate partial shade, especially late in the day. Blueberries will grow in higher pH, but to achieve highest production, you will need to amend the soil around the plants.

How do you take care of high bush blueberries?

Deep, low pH mulch like peat moss, pine needles or well aged sawdust conserves water and minimizes soil water fluctuations. Water blueberry plants during the day. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Give them at least 1″ per week during growing season and up to 4″ per week during fruit ripening.

Do blueberry bushes spread?

Blueberry plants will gradually spread from their growing location through a process called suckering. New, fast-growing shoots grow out of the soil from the main root cluster a few inches from the main clump. Over time, the size of the blueberry bush grows gradually as new suckers form.

How far apart should blueberry bushes be planted?

You can plant blueberry bushes as close as 2 or 2.5 feet apart to form solid hedgerows, or space them up to 6 feet apart so they grow individually. If you plant in rows, allow 8 to 10 feet between the rows.