There are three types of blueberries - highbush, lowbush, and rabbiteye. Highbush types are grown in the midwest, northeast, and parts of Canada around the Great Lakes. The lowbush types are grown in the Pacific west states and also in other parts of the nation. Rabbiteye type is grown in the southern states. It can tolerate a wide range of soil pH, high temperatures, and has low chilling requirement. Most of the blueberry roots are distributed with the dripline of the bush. Some roots may extendsix ft away from the crown, and depths of up to 32 inches. Blueberries do well in full sunlight, well drained soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.2, and adequate moisture. Blueberries are propagated by rooting of hardwood cuttings that are one-year-old. Two to three year-old nursery grown plants are recommended for planting. Use of organic mulches (4-6 inches thick)such as straw, wood chips, saw dust, corn cobs is desirable. Since blueberries are sensitive to chloride, applications of potassium sulfate is recommended, and the ammonium form of nitrogen is preferred compared to nitrate so ammonium sulfate is recommended. Blueberries need to be pruned annually in order to get optimal yield.  

Northern highbush - Hardyblue, Aurora, Bluecrop, Bluegold, Bluejay, Blueray, Bluetta, Brigitta, Chandler, Chippewa, Darrow, Draper, Duke, Earliblue, Elliot, Jersey, Legacy, Liberty, Northblue, Northland, Olympia, Ozarkblue, Patriot, Polaris, Reka, Rubel, Spartan, and Toro.

Southern highbush - Biloxi, Bluecrisp, Emerald, Jewel, Millennia, Misty, Oneal, Ozarkblue, Santa Fe, Sapphire, Sharpblue, Southern Belle, Southmoon, and Star.

Lowbush - Northcountry, Brunswick (wild), Burgundy (wild).

Rabbiteye - Aliceblue, Baldwin, Beckyblue, Briteblue, Bluebelle, Brightwell, Climax, Centurion, Delite, Maru, Premier, Powderblue, and Rahi.

 

5-30 Feet (Highbush (5-23 ft); Lowbush (less than 13 ft); Rabbiteye - more than 30 ft)

0 Feet (Varies with the type)

Summer to fall

 

3 - 8 

Moist, Well-Drained
 

Full Sun
 

Fresh
Jellies & Jams
Juice
 

Blue
Purple
 

Environmental Damage

• Chlorosis
• Drought
• Drowning and Edema

Herbicide Injury

• Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) Herbicide Injury

Additional pests and problems that may affect this plant:

Insects:

• Blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella)
• Cranberry fruitworm (Mineola vaccinii)
• Cherry fruitworm (Grapholitha packardi)
• Plum curculio (Conotracheus nenuphar)
• Blueberry bud mite (Aceria vacinii)
• Blueberry blossom weevil (Anthonomus musculus)
• Sharp-nosed leafhopper (Scaphytopius magdalensis)

Diseases:

• Anthracnose (Glomerella cingulata)
• Crown gall (Agrobacterium tumefaciens)
• fusicoccum canker (Fusicoccum putrefaciens)
• Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea)
• Leaf rust (Pucciniastrum vaccinii)
• Mummy berryMonilinia vacinii-corymbosi)
• Phomopsis twig blight and fruit rot (Phomopsis vaccinii)
• Phytophthora root rot (Phytophthora cinnamoni)
• Powdery mildew (Microsphaera pencillata var. vacinii)
• Stem canker (Botryosphaeria corticis)
• Virual diseases: Mosaic, Necrotic ringspot, Scorch, Stunt,Tomato ringspot,
• Phytoplasmas

Other problems:

• Birds
• Light green leaves particularly new growth due to iron deficiency

Blueberries are pollinated by bees. In large plantings, a beehive is necessary, but in small backyard gardens bumblebees and other wild bees can accomplish the task.

 

Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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U of IL - Plant Clinic
Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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