Fruit Trees
Blueberry
Rabbiteye blueberries (vaccinium ashei) are one of the easiest fruiting plants to grow. Disease-resistant, productive and well suited for homeowners in Virginia and the Carolinas.
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and will typically bear fruit their first year. Plants like full sun in well-drained soil with a pH of 4.5-5.2. Will do best with 2 or 3 varieties planted for cross pollination.
Height 6' to 7', Space 5’-6' in Zone 7-8.
Blueberry Types
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Climax
A native southern type blueberry with large berries ripening uniformly with a sweet flavor. Ripens about 1 month before Powderblue. Leaves have a blue hint and are very ornamental, turning red in the fall. Everyone should have a Climax in their backyard!
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Columbus
New southern type blueberry introduced in 2005 from NC State. A high yielding, superior flavored fruit, more sweet than tangy and juicer than most, ripening a few days earlier than Powderblue. Fruit size is MONSTER. Berry quality judged by many as the best with excellent keeping qualities. Berries are resistant to rain related cracking. Leaves turn bright red in the fall.
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Powderblue
Late, large, powder blue fruit. Fine distinct taste. Height 5-6' in the North; 8-12' in the South. Space 8' circle in zone 8. Powderblue is adaptable to different soil types and long lived. Leaves are very ornamental. Ripens in August in our area.
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Premier
Produces fruit early to mid-season. It has large berries with high quality. Keeps well. Beautiful bright green foliage makes it a great ornamental for your yard. Highly productive. 6 feet to 8 feet tall when fully grown, but it packs a punch and will yield 3-8 quarts of large, deep blue, sweet berries every year once fully mature.
