Selecting
Blueberry Bush Varieties
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When selecting blueberry bushes you should consider
- Buy two or more varieties whose flowering period overlaps. Although these plants are self-fertile you will normally get a better crop if you have two plants who can cross-pollinate.
- Buy plants which are about 2-3 years of age and in a 2 litre pot because if they are too young they may not recover from being transplanted into the ground.
- Check the hardiness of the variety and its suitability for the place you have in mind. There are some varieties which are very hardy but also some which are only suitable for sheltered areas in the southermost areas of the UK.
Early Season Blueberry Bush Varieties
Earliblue (left) - very early cropping variety (mid July). Vigorous stout bush about 2m high. Large light blue berries. Not very hardy so will need winter protection. Very good autumn colour.
Bluetta - Medium light blue berries. Fairly vigorous compact bush. Hardier than Earliblue.
Mid/Late Season Blueberry Bush Varieties
Bluecrop - The main variety grown worldwide. Vigorous and very productive. Large light blue berries with very good flavour. Easy to grow but avoid planting in frostpockets.
Chandler (see left) - The world's largest blueberry. Produces highest yields where the winter is long but not extremely cold. Very good flavour berries produced for six weeks between mid and late season. This bush can be more difficult to grow than some of the others.
All above pictures reproduced courtesy of Thompson & Morgan.
Sources of Further Advice - Blueberry Bush Varieties
BBC Gardening - Growing Blueberry Bushes - advice on all aspects of choosing & growing blueberries.
The Dorset Blueberry Company - Descriptions of a range of blueberry bushes.
Other Pages about Blueberry Bushes
Blueberry Plants - Six Best Sites
Blueberry Plants - Planting & Care
