Garden blueberry varieties: 50 best species with descriptions and characteristics + photo

When choosing varieties of garden blueberries, it is necessary to take into account their characteristics, climatic conditions in the growing region and soil type. An integrated approach to choosing a variety of berries will help you grow a good harvest and avoid common problems.

General description of horticultural varieties

Most garden blueberry varieties are tall shrubs with lots of branches. Plants differ from other berry crops in accelerated growth and rapid growth of shoots. The size of the fruit depends on the specific variety.The taste of garden blueberries is predominantly sweeter compared to wild forms

Agrotechnical features

For each crop, there are individual cultivation methods aimed at obtaining a large harvest. Agrotechnics of blueberries involves the implementation of a set of measures, including soil preparation and fertilization, planting according to a certain technology, further care and proper picking of berries.

How to distinguish garden and wild blueberries?

Garden and wild blueberries have a number of distinctive characteristics. Including:

• wild berries grow in swampy areas, and the cultivated form needs soil with high acidity;
• wild blueberries are small and oval, while domestic blueberries are large-fruited with fleshy flesh;
• garden berry bushes reach 2.5 m, and wild ones spread along the surface of the earth.

Early varieties

Early ripe berries should be planted in regions with a short warm summer. Thus, it will be possible to harvest before the first autumn frosts.

Patriot

Early variety Patriot has bushes of low growth with active branching and powerful growth force. The yield from each bush is 7-9 kg. Fruits with a diameter of up to 19 mm are valued for their juicy pulp and high palatability.

Northland

Resistant and easy to care for, the Northland variety is a low-growing bush that brings 4-5 kg of yield. Medium sized berries with thin skin.

Chippewa

Chippewa bushes reach a height of 0.8-1 m. The yield with proper care is 2-2.5 kg. The berries are large, light blue in color, resistant to frost and temperature extremes.

Spartan

Harvest variety Spartan begins to bear fruit in the middle of summer. From one bush it is possible to collect up to 6 kg. The taste of berries is tart-sweet, the size is 16-18 mm in diameter.

River

New Zealand variety River matures from the second decade of July. Fruiting is regular, the yield reaches 10 kg per bush. Berries have dense pulp and pronounced flavor.

Sierra

Sierra blueberries produce large, versatile berries. Bushes are vigorous, about 2 m high, sprawling. The leaves are large, turning red in autumn, which gives Sierra plantings decorative properties.

Alwar

Medium-sized variety Alvar produces large fruits with dense and sweet pulp. Berries ripen in early August, and fruiting lasts 2-3 weeks. Harvest suitable for long-term freezing and fresh storage.

Sunrise

Sunrise is an early maturing variety that bears fruit in mid-summer. Fruiting stretches over several weeks. The yield is 6-8 kg. The period of greatest productivity falls on the 5th-6th year of development.

Rubel

Rubel variety bushes are upright, dense and tall. The yield from each bush is 5-7 kg. Berries with a diameter of 12-15 mm have a flattened shape and dense pulp. The fruits are sweet, with a slight sourness and a pronounced aroma.

Blueette

Blueberry blueberry ripens in the second half of July. From the moment of flowering to the formation of fruits, 42-50 days pass. The berries are dark blue in color, with a slight wax coating, spherical in shape.

Chantecleer

A common variety of Chanticleer is suitable for planting in suburban areas and on an industrial scale. The height of the bushes reaches 1.6 m. The ripening of the crop occurs amicably, and the collection is not delayed for a long period.

Goldtraube

Goldtraube blueberries bring 2.5-3.5 kg from each bush. Goldtraub berries are light blue, tasty and sweet, resistant to frost. The ripening period falls on the first days of August.

Erliblu

One of the sweetest varieties of Erliblu produces 4-7 kg of fruit from each bush. Plants are medium-sized, 1.2-1.8 m high. Erliblu does not need frequent pruning, which makes it easy to care for.

Bluegold

Bluegold blueberry is included in the category of tall plantations. Plants have decorative properties and during flowering are covered with soft pink flowers.

Bluray

Blurey bushes are upright, sprawling, from 1.2 m high. Blueberry blueberry regularly brings a good harvest within 5-8 kg per bush. The variety is easily propagated using lignified cuttings.

Centeclear

Centecleer plants with ascending branches reach a height of 1.6 m. Flowering begins after spring frosts. The fruits are medium-sized, sweet, with a slight sourness.

Jersey

Self-pollinating Jersey variety produces mid-August. From one bush it is possible to collect 4-6 kg of berries. The fruits are pale blue, rounded, with firm flesh.

Herbert

Variety Herbert is a powerful bushes up to 2.2 m high. Blueberries propagate easily and ripen in the amount of 5-9 kg per plant. After ripening, the fruits do not crumble, and the skin does not crack.

Bluecrop

Blueberry Bluecrop is valued for its high yield, which reaches 9 kg per planting. The fruiting period stretches from the end of July to the first days of September. About 55 days pass from the moment of flowering to the ripening of the first berries.

Varieties of medium maturity

Mid-ripening varieties ripen after the early ones, which allows you to extend the period of berry consumption. These varieties should be grown in places with a temperate or warm climate.

Denis Blue

The variety Denis Blue with an average ripening period is distinguished by friendly fruiting. The yield is high and reaches 7 kg, subject to agricultural practices. Harvesting takes place in mid-July - early August.

Legacy

Legacy's tall blueberry bears 12 kg of fruit. The bushes are dense, upright growing, reaching a height of up to 2 m. The crop has a universal purpose, including fresh consumption, processing and long-term storage.

Kaz Plishka

Kaz Plishka, bred by Polish breeders, has hard shoots and spherical fruits. The berries begin to ripen together in the second half of July. The pulp is fragrant, dessert purpose. The shattering of plantings is minimal, which allows mechanized harvesting.

Polaris

The yield of the Polaris variety is 6-7 kg. The taste is sweet, balanced, with pronounced sourness. Bushes are compact, low. Blueberry Polaris is suitable for growing in summer cottages or on an industrial scale.

Nord

Productive, self-fertile variety Nord is a compact bushes no more than 1 m high. The berries are large, with a diameter of 18-20 mm. The ripening period falls on the beginning of July.

Legation

Blueberry Legacy consistently yields 4.5-6 kg per plant. The ripening process lasts from mid-July to early August. The berries are small, with high taste characteristics. Harvest suitable for processing, storage and fresh consumption.

North blue

Mid-season hybrid North Blue is valued for its abundant harvest and exquisite taste. Plants are winter-hardy and suitable for planting in harsh climates. Caring for this species is standard.

Narrow-leaved

The narrow-leaved blueberry variety has low bushes, up to 0.5 m. The variety is distinguished by the ability to form new shoots from dormant buds. The plants are ornamental and flower in spring, just after the snow melts.

XXL

XXL blueberry perennial shrubs are adapted to grow in garden conditions in various climates. Large berries with a bluish bloom weigh 1 g each. The shape of the fruit is round, slightly flattened on both sides.

Taiga beauty

Variety Taiga beauty is universal for cultivation and is suitable for cultivation both in the northern and southern regions of Russia. Bushes form thick clusters with rounded fruits, which gives a decorative appearance.

Putte

Low-growing variety, bearing fruits weighing up to 1 g. Plants are upright, no more than 70 in height, with vertically formed branches. Putte is prized for its cold tolerance, sweet flavor and strong aroma.

Bonus

Blueberry Bonus is included in the list of tall varieties with high resistance to cold snaps. The berry is actively fruiting when grown in well-drained light soil.

Aino

Srednerosly variety Aino forms stocky and wide shrubs about 85 cm high. Flowering begins in early June. Fruiting takes 2-3 weeks. Berries have a universal purpose - suitable for fresh consumption and freezing.

North Country

North Country cultivar in need of pollination brings mid-July harvest. The diameter of the berries varies within 10-15 mm, the shape is slightly flattened, the taste is sweet. Benefits include: resistance to frost and disease, unpretentious soil type, abundant yields

Bluejay

The yield of the Bluejay variety reaches 6 kg, subject to proper care and a favorable climate. Ripening begins in mid-July and takes several weeks. Blueberry blueberries can be harvested mechanically.

Darrow

Darrow variety of Canadian origin produces large berries with a pronounced aroma and sweet taste. Growing in well-lit areas is required for a good harvest.

Hardyblue

Hardyblue blueberries are among the mid-season, ripening occurs in the first decade of August. The yield per season reaches 7-9 kg. The fruits are small, 15-16 mm in diameter. Frost resistance is average, so shelter is required when grown in Belarus, central Russia and Siberia.

Toro

One of the most valuable varieties in the dessert category. Blueberry Toro has a sweet taste and yields up to 9 kg from an adult bush. According to the description, the variety is suitable for mechanized harvesting, but it is better to do the first harvest yourself. Purpose universal - for processing, storage, fresh consumption.

Pink Lemonade

Unusual variety Pink Lemonade spread due to pink fruits with a sweet and sour taste. Pink Lemonade brings 3-4 kg of yield per bush. Often the plants are grown for ornamental purposes.

Elizabeth

The Elizabeth variety is characterized by upright bushes that reach a height of 1.8 m. Spreading branches of plantations are intertwined and form a dense crown. It is possible to harvest up to 5 kg of crop from one plant.

Late varieties

Grow late varieties should be in regions with long warm summers. As a rule, bushes grow and bear fruit best in the south of the country.

Nelson

Nelson variety bushes reach a height of 1.3-1.6 m. The shoots are powerful and tough, the shape of the plants is round and sprawling. The yield is 5-6 kg.

Berkeley

A vigorous and spreading variety of the Berkeley berry is suitable for home and industrial cultivation. Bushes reach a height of 1.8-2.1 m and bring 4-8 kg of crop. The fruits begin to ripen from mid-August.

Brigitte Blue

Garden blueberry with the name Brigitte blue develops well in moist soil and sunny areas. Fruiting starts from the 4th year of life and is about 6 kg from each planting.

Boniface

Boniface's blueberry grows on tall bushes with strong upright branches. The size of the fruit is medium or large, the shape is round. The ripening process begins at the end of July.

Mid

Meader variety is valued for its active growth and increased resistance to pests and diseases. Shrubs up to 2 m high are grown as fruit and ornamental plantations.

Jorma

Jorma shrubs reach a height of about 1.5 m. The fruits are juicy and large, ripen throughout August. The frost resistance of the variety is -27 degrees.

Elliot

Bringing up to 8 kg of yield, the Elliot variety is valued for its friendly ripening, which begins in the third decade of August. Eliot bushes are tall, upright, with vertical branches.

Growing blueberries in the regions

The yield and development of blueberry bushes are largely influenced by the conditions of the region. The climate and weather of a particular area, as well as the type of soil, are often important criteria when choosing a variety to grow.

Northwest Russia

In the North-West of the country, including the Leningrad region, it is recommended to plant only varieties of early and medium ripening.Restrictions are associated with a short warm summer. Planting a berry with a long ripening period can lead to the death of the crop due to the onset of frost.

Middle strip of Russia

In the middle lane, it is advisable to grow blueberries, which begin to bear fruit from mid-summer. Experienced gardeners prefer new varieties, for example, Country, Rankokas, Finnish. This choice is explained by increased frost resistance, down to -30 degrees below zero.

Ural

Growing blueberries in the Urals is a common occurrence among gardeners. The climate of the region is well suited for a winter-hardy berry crop, which allows you to consistently get a large harvest.

Ukraine

In Ukraine, blueberries grow in wetlands and scree. Gardeners actively propagate the culture in summer cottages. The climate of the country allows you to grow a large number of varieties and not face difficulties.

Belarus

In most cases, gardeners grow mid-season varieties of blueberries in Belarus. The climatic conditions of the country provide an opportunity to have time to harvest the entire crop before the first autumn cold snap.

Planting garden blueberries

When planting seedlings, it is enough to follow a simple step-by-step instruction. It includes the following steps:

1. Before planting, the roots of seedlings are soaked in water for 10-20 minutes.
2. A planting hole is dug on the site, the bottom of which is treated with peat or sawdust. Sulfur or malic acid is used to acidify the soil.
3. Prepared seedlings are placed in the holes and the roots are carefully straightened.
4. The root neck is deepened by 5 cm.

Care for blueberries

The key to a he althy and large harvest is the observance of agricultural practices and regular care of plantations. Garden blueberries need basic care, which should include irrigation, fertilization, shaping bushes, preventive spraying against pests and diseases.

Irrigation

In the summer cottage, the bushes should be watered 2 times a week, spending a bucket of water for each plant. Irrigation is best done in the evening, after sunset. From the moment of fruiting and the formation of new flower buds, more abundant watering is allowed. Depending on the amount of rainfall and the rate of absorption of liquid by the roots of plants, the frequency of irrigation can be adjusted. It is important to avoid lack of water at the roots as this can cause them to dry out and reduce yields

Feeding

Fertilize the berry crop from the second year of life.In the spring, shrubs are fed twice with mineral fertilizers - when the buds swell and 1.5 months after the first application. Phosphate fertilizers are used in autumn, which plants need after harvest.

It is also periodically required to acidify the soil. To do this, you can treat with vinegar solution, citric or malic acid.

Cutting

The formation of bushes is to remove old leaves, damaged and dry branches. Pruning is recommended in the spring, after the risk of return frosts has disappeared. You can also prune in the fall 2-3 weeks before the onset of a cold snap. In the case of the autumn formation of young seedlings, the use of covering material may be required.

Reproduction

The most common way to propagate berries is to use woody cuttings.For breeding purposes, shoots are harvested in winter, when they are at rest. Ideal for annual shoots that are tied in bunches and stored in the refrigerator or under snow cover.

In the spring, cuttings no more than 15 cm long are cut from the harvested shoots. The lower cut is made oblique, and the upper one is horizontal. Then the lower base is dipped in a growth stimulator and deepened into the ground on prepared beds. The rooting procedure is recommended to be carried out in greenhouse conditions.

Pests and diseases of blueberries

Despite the resistance of blueberries to diseases, adverse environmental conditions or improper care can provoke the development of infections. Powdery mildew, gray rot, anthracnose and moniliosis are dangerous for berry crops. It is possible to eliminate the consequences of diseases and reduce the risk of recurrence by treating with fungicidal preparations.

Among the harmful insects, blueberries are affected by moths, beetles, leafworms. You can notice signs of pest invasion by the appearance of spots and holes on the foliage and stem. In order to prevent the death of a large number of crops, plantings should be regularly inspected and protective measures should be taken immediately after the detection of parasites. Large insects can be removed by hand, while the rest require spraying with insecticides.

Recommended