Blueberry, Rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei)

Full sun to part shade. Zone 7 and warmer.

 

Acidic, moist, well-drained soil with high organic content. Always mulch plants well and maintain even moisture for best growth and production. More tolerant of clay soils than the highbush varieties.

 

Rabbiteye blueberries are native to the Southeastern US and are taller, more drought and heat tolerant than lowbush and highbush blueberries.

Most varieties require a second variety for pollination.

 

Rabbiteye blueberry bushes range in height from 8 to 15 feet at maturity, are deciduous, with foliage that turns from greenish-grey to yellow or red in autumn. Blueberries do well in berry orchards, edible hedges, foundation plantings, and even as landscape specimens with their multiple seasons of interest and good winter form. Plant two or more varieties for cross pollination and berry season extension.

 

Mature bush can produce 8 to 22 pounds of fruit each year, depending on variety. Antioxidant levels of rabbiteye blueberries compare well with those of high and lowbush types.

 

‘Brightwell’ – a new introduction, very vigorous-growing rabbiteye.

‘Ira’ – Early-mid season. Medium-sized tasty fruit. Upright growth. Self-fertile. – unavailable

‘Onslow’ – Mid-late season. Large, dark, good-flavored fruit. Self-fertile.

‘Powderblue’ – Late ripening. Highly productive with dark, sweet fruit. 8-12 feet.

‘Premier’ – Early-mid season. Large, excellent flavored fruit. 6-10 feet.

‘Tifblue’ – Early-mid season. Large, tasty fruit. Vigorous upright growth. 8-14 feet.

‘Pink Lemonade’

$22.00 / 1 gal., $32.00 / 3 gal.