Blueberry-specific terms:
Biloxi: This southern highbush blueberry cultivar is known to be a vigorous grower with an early harvest. One of its outstanding features is that it thrives in low-chill or no-chill environments. Ideally, Biloxi prefers less than 150 chill hours per season.
Bloom: A natural waxy coating produced by berries (and many other fruits). The bloom acts as a natural barrier for the berry, protecting it from insects and bacteria. It also helps to seal in the fruit’s natural moisture. It’s best to leave the bloom on the blueberry until you’re ready to eat it or use it in a recipe.
Bluecrop: This is the most popular blueberry variety in the world! This spreading Northern Highbush variety grows to about 5 to 6 feet tall with a spread of 4 to 6 feet. Bluecrop prefers rich soil, constant moisture, and good drainage but is still considered drought tolerant.
Blueray: This is a northern highbush blueberry cultivar that makes a great cross-pollination partner for other highbush varieties. Considered especially prolific this blueberry bears sweet, light blue berries that are ripe for picking in early to mid-July.
Brightwell: This blueberry variety is one of the largest of blueberry plants, maxing out at 8 to 10 feet tall with a spread that is almost as wide. Brightwell is a rabbiteye blueberry—its berries change from pink to blue as they mature. It can tolerate a late freeze and partial sun.
Chill Hours/Chill Units: An approximation of how many hours of weather between 32 to 45 degrees (F) a plant needs to go dormant so it can wake up and blossom or set fruit. Some plants, including blueberries, need a minimum number of chill hours to thrive.
Half-high Blueberry: A hybrid of the highbush and lowbush blueberry.
Highbush Blueberry: A deciduous shrub of the heath family with upright stems and twiggy branches. The highbush blueberry has white or pink bell-shaped flowers in the spring, with edible fruit later in the summer. Native to the eastern coastal regions of North America. The highbush blueberry has northern and southern varieties.
Legacy: This northern highbush blueberry variety has a reputation for sweetness and big berries. These plants are disease-resistant and reach mature heights over 6 feet with a spread almost equal to their height. Expect a high-yield harvest.
Lowbush Blueberry: A low-growing shrub with multiple stems and twiggy branches, most frequently found in Maine and some eastern provinces of Canada. Produces smaller berries than its highbush counterparts. Also called the wild blueberry.
Pink Icing: This blueberry variety is a low-maintenance, self-pollinating plant that could last for up to 20 years. Pink Icing tops out at 3 to 4 feet and spreads as much as 5 feet. With leaves of pink, blue, and dark green that shift to turquoise in the winter, this blueberry plant is container friendly.
Pink Popcorn: The berries of this blueberry variety are pink when they’re ripe—but they still have that characteristic blueberry flavor. This is a northern highbush variety that prefers peaty, acidic soil and consistent moisture. With a 4- to 5-foot height and spread, Pink Popcorn is a prolific producer.
Powder Blue: This late season rabbiteye blueberry plant grows 6 to 10 feet high and wide and is known for producing berries that are sweeter than other varieties. To keep these blueberry plants thriving, get them a pollination partner. These berries are perfect for canning.
Rabbiteye Blueberry: A variety of blueberry native to the southeastern United States. Rabbiteye plants can grow to a height of 20 feet.
Sunshine Blue: This dwarf Southern Highbush blueberry is highly ornamental with pink flowers in the spring and burgundy foliage in the fall. It grows to a maximum height and spread of about 4 feet and its fruit will be ready to harvest in late July and August. Sunshine Blue is container friendly.
Top Hat: This self-pollinating dwarf blueberry plant is suitable for borders, small spaces or in a container. While full sun is its preference, Top Hat can manage with partial shade.
