Plant of the Month: Blueberry Bushes

Did you know that

the United States produces
over 90% of all of the blueberries in the world?

In 1999 July was officially proclaimed to be "National Blueberry Month". July is perfect since it is the peak of blueberry season.

Imagine stepping outside your home and harvesting pounds of fresh blueberries from just one bush each year! Whether you choose highbush or lowbush, blueberry bushes take up less real estate, and are easier to care for, than most fruit trees or vines. Blueberry bushes are attractive, low-maintenance shrubs. They are easy to grow; they produce delicious and extremely nutritious berries; plus some varieties offer beautiful fall color.

Some varieties of blueberries available at Woodbridge Greenhouses are "Blueray" Highbush, "Berkeley" Lowbush, and "Brunswick" Wild Lowbush.

"Brunswick" Wild Lowbush Blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium

Native to Eastern United States, "Brunswick" makes a nice ornamental groundcover with delicious berries that have a wild flavor and high antioxidant levels. In spring you'll have clusters of bell-shaped, white flowers tinged with a bit of red. The fruit is a favorite among humans as well as birds, small mammals and box turtles. In the fall, "Brunswicks" lustrous blue-green leaves turn bronze, scarlet and crimson.It grows well in dry, acid, nutrient poor soil.Forms dense groundcover grows 8-12" high and 3-4 ft wide.Plant so that the top of the root ball is no deeper than ground level.Annual pruning is not necessary, but the plants yield best if 2/3 of the growth is sheared back every third year in late winter. Zones 3-7.

"Blueray" Highbush Blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum

This is a midseason, very hardy, upright vigorous bush thatproduces large, light-blue, tart fruit. It is perhaps the heaviest blueberry producer. In spring it produces white, sometimes pink-tinged flowers to 1/2 inch across. Flowers are followed by edible, sweet, round, deep blue berries to 1/2 inch across. In the fall its foliage turns red or yellow. Plant with another blueberry bush for best pollination. Left unpruned, "Blueray" can grow to heights of 4 to 5' and the same in diameter.

"Berkeley" Highbush Blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum

In late spring, "Berkeley" has white, sometimes pink-tinged flowers to 1/2 inch across.Flowers are followed by edible, sweet, round, deep blue berries to 1/2 inch across."Berkeley" will give you good quality, light-blue fruits late in the season.It is a vigorous producer of some of the largest berries.These tasty berries store very well in the refrigerator.In winter, "Berkeley's" bright yellow wood contrasts nicely with red-wooded varieties.

Fruit

As with most perennials: the first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap (not literally, of course). The first and second year you may be lucky enough to harvest some fruit. By the third year your newly established blueberry bush will bear a bounty of fruit and grow well for years with just sunshine, water. Also, give it some fertilizer in the spring and a bit more late in the summer to promote next years flowers.

Planting

• Plant in full sun to partial shade.

• Grows easily in light, well-drained, acidic soil. If you don't know how acidic your soil is, we have forms at Woodbridge Greenhouse to have your soil tested at University of Massachusetts-Amherst or the University of Connecticut.
  

• Tolerant of a wide range of temperature and rainfall.

• Lowbush varieties stay compact and can be planted as a ground cover on slopes.

• Provides food, nectar and shelter for Hummingbirds, Butterflies and Songbirds

• Blueberries are native plants which require little care and watering once established

Pruning

With a little winter pruning (when the plant is dormant), you will have a healthier blueberry bush with larger berries. Some pruning tips to keep in mind:

• First and foremost, simply remove any dead or diseased branches and stems.

• Clip back any branches that are rubbing against another branch.

• Blueberry plants normally do not need to be pruned for the first three years. Remove blossoms that appear in the year of planting and second year after planting to stimulate vigorous growth. Blueberry bushes tend to produce smaller berries when they are over loaded with fruits. Hence, it is important not to have too many flower buds.

• If you think your plant is too bushy, cut away some of the crowded stems. Just remember that next years fruit will grow on the woody stems that are two years old.

• Next, trim back your bush to maintain an acceptable height. But, be careful not to cut away more than half of the newest growth.

Mulching

As with other plants in the garden, control weeds with a thick three-inch layer of mulch that will also conserve moisture. Increased organic matter from decomposing mulch will help improve soil structure and nutrient uptake of blueberry bush. Replenish mulch as needed to keep the mulch depth at 2 to 4 inches.

Now, What to do with The Delicious Harvest

Blueberries are so easy to prepare and versatile. You can eat them fresh, make jelly, jam, pie, tart, or juice. The health benefits of eating fresh blueberries are too numerous to include here. How about a fresh blueberry parfait with some low-fat vanilla yogurt and crumbled graham crackers layered in a tall glass? Delicious!

Freezing Blueberries
According to the North American Blueberry Council, you should not wash your blueberries before you freeze them. Blueberries in a pint box should be wrapped tightly in cellophane to make it airtight, or slip it into a resealable plastic bag (squeeze out as much air as possible). Then freeze. If you have a large amount of berries, freeze them on a cookie sheet first and then transfer them into a freezer container. Keep frozen until ready to use for year-round fresh berries.

Oh, and Birds Love Blueberries, too!

Forget the story of the birds and the bees. We're talking the "birds and the blueberries". Specifically, birds love blueberries. The best protection for your berries is inexpensive bird netting wrapped lightly around your bushes. With care, it should last you a few seasons. If you have planted enough bushes to share your bounty, the birds will appreciate your generosity.

Please stop by Woodbridge Greenhouses to see our selection of Blueberry Bushes. We're open from 9 to 5 every day, except July 4th.

Do you have a favorite blueberry recipe? Please share it by clicking on the comment link below.

Information compiled by Renee C. Brannigan.