Description

LITTLE GIANT BLUEBERRY

Vaccinium corymbosum

Origin: USDA

High-bush type cultivar of several species. Selected by A.D. Draper in Beltsville MD. Mature height of plants is 4 feet, with spreading branches 3 feet. Fruits ripen uniformly, with 85% of the fruits ripening August 1 in southwest Michigan. Yields are consistent averaging 15 pounds per plant.

Fruit size is very small, yielding 1,000 berries per pound. The cluster of fruits are loose enabling mechanical harvesting. Fresh fruit quality is good and can be stored for 7-10 days at 40 F. The berry is an excellent for the frozen market as well. The flavor of the fruits are sweet with fine aromas, similar to the wild lowbush blueberries.

Harvesting should be accomplished by hand for the fresh markets, or by mechanical harvest methods for the process market. The short stature bushy plants are great for landscapers. The flowers in the Spring are light pink. The Summer foliage is greenish-blue changing to burgundy red in the Autumn. Winter twigs are red. Hardiness Zones 4-10.

Care Info

Plant Type:Highbush blueberry-height varying between 4 to 12 feet. Deciduous fruiting shrub.
pH Requirements:4.0 - 5.5
Soil Type:Well drained sand or sandy loam
Light Requirements:Full to filtered sun
Plant Rows Spacing:3 - 5 feet
Plant Aisle Spacing:5 - 10 feet
Mulching:Beneficial, but not necessary
USDA Zones:4 - 10
Scientific Name:Vaccinium corymbosum

Grow Guide

PLANT USES: Highbush Blueberry is one of the Original Native Fruit Plants in North America, so when you plant you are replacing our native species. You can use them as a fruiting fence and for wildlife food. The blueberry Is very nutritious and is a fibrous fruit containing the highest amount of antioxidants of any fruit or vegetable. It is also a four season ornamental.
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Moist during the growing season. Rule of Thumb is 1 inch per week during the growing season and until the plants become dormant.
FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS: Medium rate acid type fertilizer.

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