What could be more delightful than strolling in your garden on a summer morning and picking a handful of blueberries for a post-breakfast treat. This shrub will deliver gorgeous powder blue berries with excellent flavor and a pleasing, crunchy texture. In mid-spring, dainty clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers emerge from pink buds hanging below the branches that develop into fat blueberries early in the season. Self-pollinating, one plant will bear fruit and works well in a garden with limited space, but additional nearby plants will increase yield. This shrub is more disease resistant than other varieties and is low maintenance with no pruning required. Fall brings the added bonus of outstanding orange foliage. Give it at least six hours of sun and sandy, acidic soil to fruit.
Conditions: Full sun; sandy, acid soil
Size: 3’-6’ tall; 3’-6’ wide
Zone: 6 - 7
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract bumblebees and other pollinators; berries attract and feed birds
Photo: Rebecca Siegel