Description
POWDERBLUE BLUEBERRY
Vaccinium ashei
Origin: North Carolina State University
A late flowering Rabbiteye cultivar. Plant one or more of these cultivars to obtain the optimum fruit set; Columbus, Onslow, or DeSoto. The height of a mature bush is 8-12 feet, upright and vigorous. Ripening date is June 20 at Gainesville, Florida. Yields of 8-14 pounds per bush can be expected on well-kept, irrigated plantings.
Fruit size is large with 75-80 berries per cup. Berry quality is very good. The fruit is very firm and it is attractive in a fresh pack. The fruit is powder blue and stands out well among other blueberries. Fruit flavor is sub-acid with distinct blueberry taste. Harvesting should be done by hand but the bush is adapted for mechanical harvesting.
Marketing should be focused on mid and late U-Pick, commercial fresh market, or process. Ornamental use is very good. The bush blooms well and the foliage is beautiful year round. Powderblue should be considered a good pollinator and companion producer for Tifblue, Premier, and Brightwell. Hardiness Zones 9a-7b.
Care Info
- Plant Type:Tall growing 6 to 15 feet at maturity. Deciduous, almost evergreen in the deep south.
- pH Requirements:4.0 - 5.5
- Soil Type:Well drained sandy and sandy loam
- Light Requirements:Full to filtered sun
- Plant Rows Spacing:4 - 6 feet
- Plant Aisle Spacing:6 - 12 feet
- Canes per year:1 to 4
- Mulching:Beneficial, but not necessary
- USDA Zones:8 - 10
- Scientific Name:Vaccinium ashei
