SKU: SV00930

Vaccinium corymbosum - Highbush Blueberry is a deciduous, tall-growing shrub with reddish stems that are attractive in winter. Our cultivated blueberries have been derived from this species. It is often found in wet areas, where it grows in moist woods, bogs, swamps and low areas. It cannot tolerate full shade. These plants are very important to wildlife. Although blueberries are self-fertile, cross-pollination produces the best fruit crop (larger berries and larger yields). With its beautiful varied red fall color and edible berries, this shrub is wonderful in naturalized landscaping.

Height: 6-12'
Spread: 8-12'
Zone: 5-8
Soil type: well-aerated, highly-organic soils
Soil pH: Between 2.7 and 6.6 and where nitrogen and phosphorus are quite low.
Light: Full sun to part shade
Moisture: Medium wet
Flowers: White to pink, urn-shaped flowers in May
Fruit: Blueberries! in July
Fall color: Red, purple, orange, and yellow

Wildlife value: Blueberries are food for several game birds as well as songbirds such as scarlet tanager, eastern bluebird, scrub jay, rufous-sided towhee, gray catbird, northern mockingbird, brown thrasher, northern cardinal, and the American robin and several other thrushes. Mammals that often consume blueberries include the black bear, red fox, cottontail, fox squirrel, white-footed mouse, and skunks and chipmunks. Bees are its primary pollinator.
Notes of Interest: Plants can withstand extended periods of flooding. Highbush blueberry was used for food by Native American Indians.

Distribution
USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, GA, IL, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WV, WI
Canada: NB, NS, QC
Native Distribution: N.S. to s. WI, s. to GA & AL