Where Do Blueberries Grow?

When you’re ready to plant your blueberries, choose a sunny location with well-drained, weed-free soil that has been well-worked. It is best to grow blueberries in an area with abundant water to ensure that their roots remain moist throughout the growing season. Raised beds or patio containers are excellent choices for areas with substandard soil.

Your blueberry patch should be situated in a sunny, well-drained area. The roots of blueberries should be kept moist throughout the growing season by planting them in a room with easy access to water. Blueberries can be grown in raised beds or patio containers where the soil isn’t ideal.

The health of blueberry plants depends heavily on the preparation of the soil. It has been found that blueberries grow best in acidic soils. Consult with your local garden center staff to learn the best practices for adjusting the soil. Before planting blueberries, it is best to make any necessary pH adjustments.

Growing Zone

The USDA zone map begins with Zone 1 in Alaska and ends with Zone 13 in the most tropical regions of the United States. 

The majority of blueberry varieties thrive best in mild climates without extremes of cold or heat. There’s a blueberry variety for everyone in climates ranging from 3 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Northern Highbush

Vaccinium corymbosum, or Northern Highbush blueberries, are the most widely cultivated variety of blueberries in the United States. Its native range includes much of eastern North America, where it grows in moist, acidic soils. It is hardy in zones 3 through 8 and native to much of eastern North America. It was Northern Highbush blueberries, not other blueberries, that were the first to be cultivated in a traditional farm setting and hybridized with other varieties. In the early 1900s, these efforts began, and they are still going on.

Lowbush

Most varieties of lowbush blueberries can thrive in climates ranging from zones 3 to 6. It’s possible to grow some varieties in zones 2 and 7. Plants in the heather family-like lowbush blueberries are acid-loving like highbush blueberries. They thrive in sandy, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Depending on genetics and location, each plant can reach a height of 6 to 24 inches (15 to 61 centimeters). As a result, they make a good low-maintenance ground cover. Berry picking season typically begins in mid to late summer, when the plants begin blooming. Compared to cultivated highbush blueberries, wild blueberries are smaller but have a stronger flavor.

Half-high

Half-high blueberry plants cross between highbush varieties that make big berries and wild lowbush species that can handle cold weather. Half-high blueberry bushes are hardy in USDA zones 3–5, and they are less likely to be damaged by winter than highbush plants. In zone 3, where highbush plants won’t live, growers can get around the small wild berries of lowbush species by growing half-high blueberry varieties.

As its name suggests, the hybrid half-high blueberry grows to a height between 2 and 4 feet (.6 to 1.2 m.). Half-high blueberry bushes are easy to take care of because they are small, and the fruit stays close to the ground.

Southern Highbush Blueberries

Some people call them scrub blueberries, Darrow blueberries, or blueberries that stay green all year. The plants in this group are called highbush blueberries. There aren’t many hours when it can be cold outside in the southeastern United States. Misty is a blueberry cultivar that grows well in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 10, and it is an early bloomer that needs only 300 chilling hours before it can be picked. “Sharpblue” is a plant that blooms early and likes the weather in USDA zones 7 through 10 the best. For southern highbush berries, “Sunshine Blue” needs the least chill hours, with only 150 hours. If you live in USDA zone 5 through 10, you can grow it. It is a small plant that blooms in the middle of the season.

Rabbiteye Blueberries

They are also native to the southeastern United States and grow best in USDA zones 7 through 10. People call them to rabbit eyes because they are pink before they ripen, looking like a rabbit’s eye. This is because rabbiteye blueberries are more resistant to diseases and grow much bigger than southern highbush blueberries, growing up to 20 feet tall and wide. Because you can’t reach them to pick the berries, they must be pruned very hard. “Premier” is a plant that grows quickly and needs about 550 hours of chill time to grow well. Vernon is a blueberry that needs 500 to 550 hours of chilling before it ripens. The “Brightwell” is the standard for Rabbiteye blueberries, and it’s responsible for a lot of commercial production and needs 350 to 400 hours of chill. Blueberries called “Brightwell” are in a fight with “Austin,” which can make up to 20% more berries than its rival. If you live where it takes 350 to 400 hours to cool down, you should use this.

Duke Blueberry

It grows to be 5-7 feet tall, taller than many blueberry bushes. This makes it a great plant for a hedge in zones 5 through 8. The blueberry plants make a lot of light-blue, medium-sized to large berries that taste good. In the fall, the leaves turn yellow and orange.

Pink Lemonade Blueberry

It is the first-ever pink blueberry. Growing in zones 4-8, it bears deep pink fruit ready for harvest in late summer. The medium-sized fruits have a mild, pleasant flavor and high sugar content–and they’re rich in antioxidants, too. The blueberry plants grow 4-5 ft tall.

How to Grow Blueberries

• If you can, find a spot that is both sunny and protected. While blueberries can grow in the shade, they produce more fruit when grown in full sunlight. In addition, they shouldn’t be subjected to hot, windy conditions.
• Planting blueberries too close to trees will result in the trees sucking up the soil’s moisture and blocking sunlight.
• If you’re planting many bushes, group them in one spot rather than scattering them around the yard. Increasing berry production and quality will benefit from this.
• In contrast to other plants, the blueberry has a relatively shallow root system. Because of this, it needs soil that can retain moisture while also draining well and not becoming soggy. Avoid planting blueberries in areas with heavy, wet clay soils.
• It is best to grow blueberries in acidic soil. For plants to thrive, the pH of the soil should be between 4.0 and 5.0. A few months before planting, add a small amount of granulated sulfur to the soil to acidify it. Also, pine bark or needles and peat moss can help neutralize your soil’s pH.
• Amend the soil before planting your blueberry bushes by adding organic matter.