Vaccinium corymbosum, blueberry
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Deciduous Shrubs

Vaccinium corymbosum

blueberry

Ericaceae

Eastern North America (Nova Scotia to Florida)

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 feet (1.2-2.4 m)
Width3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m)
Maturity6 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Container Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Vaccinium corymbosum is a deciduous shrub reaching 4-8 feet (1.2-2.4 m) tall with a spread of 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m), developing an upright, multi-stemmed, vase-shaped to rounded form. The most important commercially cultivated blueberry species and the parent of most highbush blueberry cultivars. Bark is reddish-brown to gray on older stems, smooth, with a fine-textured appearance. Leaves are alternate, simple, elliptic to ovate, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, medium green, glossy. Fall color is outstanding: brilliant red, orange, and scarlet — among the best of any deciduous shrub. Flowers are white to pinkish, urn-shaped (urceolate), 0.25-0.5 inch (6-13 mm) long, borne in racemes of 5-10 in April to May. Fruit is the familiar blueberry: globose, 0.25-0.75 inch (6-19 mm) depending on cultivar, blue-black with a waxy bloom, ripening June to August. Requires cross-pollination between different cultivars for best fruit set. The Pacific Northwest is a major blueberry production region, particularly western Washington and Oregon. Requires strongly acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5). Growth rate is moderate at 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) per year. In the Ericaceae (heath family) along with rhododendrons and azaleas, sharing similar acidic soil requirements.

Native Range

Native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia south to Florida and west to Wisconsin. Occurs in bogs, swamps, moist woodlands, and forest clearings on acidic soils. The Pacific Northwest provides excellent growing conditions due to naturally acidic soils and moderate maritime climate.

Suggested Uses

Planted in edible landscapes, kitchen gardens, and ornamental borders where the four-season interest (flowers, fruit, fall color, winter bark) combines with food production, spaced 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) apart. Plant at least two different cultivars for cross-pollination. Effective as an informal hedge or screen. The ornamental value (brilliant fall color, attractive bark, delicate flowers) justifies planting even where fruit production is secondary. Suitable for large containers (minimum 15-gallon) with acidic potting mix. Recommended cultivars for the Pacific Northwest include 'Bluecrop' (reliable mid-season), 'Duke' (early), and 'Elliott' (late).

How to Identify

Identified by multi-stemmed upright form, smooth reddish-brown bark, glossy elliptic leaves turning brilliant red in fall, clusters of white to pinkish urn-shaped flowers in spring, and blue-black berries with waxy bloom in summer. Distinguished from Vaccinium ovatum (evergreen huckleberry) by deciduous (not evergreen) foliage and larger fruit. Distinguished from Gaultheria shallon (salal) by upright (not spreading) habit, urn-shaped (not bell-shaped) flowers, and blue (not dark purple) fruit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4' - 8'
Width/Spread3' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 6 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red
orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
White to pinkish urn-shaped flowers in pendant racemes appear in April to May, lasting 2-3 weeks. Requires cross-pollination between different cultivars for best fruit set — plant at least two different cultivars. Bees are the primary pollinators. Fruit ripens blue-black in June to August depending on cultivar: early-season ('Duke', 'Earliblue'), mid-season ('Bluecrop', 'Jersey'), and late-season ('Elliott', 'Aurora') cultivars extend the harvest over 6-8 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pinkish

Foliage Description

Medium green, glossy

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 5.5(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loampeatsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly; blueberries have shallow, fibrous root systems and are sensitive to drought stress, particularly during fruit development. Requires strongly acidic soil, pH 4.5-5.5 — this is non-negotiable. Amend alkaline soils with elemental sulfur well in advance of planting. Mulch 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) with acidic organic matter (pine bark, sawdust, pine needles). Plant in full sun for best fruit production; tolerates part shade. Fertilize with acid-forming fertilizer (ammonium sulfate or formulations for acid-loving plants) in spring. Net plants to protect fruit from birds. Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is a significant pest of ripening fruit in the Pacific Northwest.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (January through February) while dormant. For the first 2-3 years, remove flower buds to promote vegetative growth and root establishment (delayed fruiting builds stronger plants). On established plants: remove oldest canes (more than 6 years) at the base annually, retaining 6-8 vigorous canes. Tip-prune remaining canes to remove weak, twiggy growth. Remove crossing and low-growing branches. The goal is an open, vase-shaped framework that allows light and air to reach the interior.

Pruning Schedule

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winter

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 15 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic