Ericaceae: Vaccinium virgatum (Rabbit eye blueberry)
WEAKLEY'S FLORA (5/21/15): Vaccinium virgatum FAMILY Ericaceae
SYNONYMOUS WITH PLANTS NATIONAL DATABASE: Vaccinium virgatum
SYNONYMOUS WITH VASCULAR FLORA OF THE CAROLINAS (1968) 145-19-005: Vaccinium amoenum
GREATER THAN North American blueberries w notes on other groups of Vacciniaceae (Camp, 1945) Vaccinium ashei
SYNONYMOUS WITH Manual of the Southeastern Flora (Small, 1933) Cyanococcus amoenus
cultivar | ripens | plant | Fruit | Vendor |
Climax [1 ,2] | mid to late June | E | medium size and medium dark blue[3] | A, B, C, E, F |
Austin: new from University of Georgia [*] | ripens a few days after Climax. Ripens early to mid -June in zone 9b. Considered Early Season. | Upright growth habit.
It's yields have been good compared to other early-ripening rabbiteyes in northern Florida.
Chill hours 450-500, USDA Plant Zones 7-9. | medium to large with good color and flavor. Austin blueberries can be eaten fresh or used for juices, jellies, canning, or freezing. Fruit firmness is less than Climax. | |
Premier[1, 2] | mid to late June; | E/M “May"; self fertile [E} | very large fruit. It has excellent flavor, is light blue in color, | A, B, C, E, F |
Columbus[1, 2] | mid-season bearers; ripening a few days earlier than Powderblue[E} | Leaves turn bright red in the fall | high yielding, superior flavored fruit, more sweeter than tangy and juicer than most, … Fruit size is MONSTER. Berry quality judged by many as the best with excellent keeping qualities [E] | B, E |
Ira[1] | (Mid) | M/L; relatively self-fertile[3] | medium size, medium blue color, good post-harvest shelf life.[3] | A, B |
Tifblue[1] | “Later"[3] | M; vigorous, very productive, cold hardy, excellent pollinator.[3] Beautiful fall leaf color [E} | large, light blue[3] | A, B, C, E, F |
Powderblue[1, 2] | late July through early August | L; superior fall foliage color. | Medium to large sized fruits, darker blue in color than many with a very sweet taste[3] | A, B, C, E, F |
Onslow[1, 2] | Earlier than powederblue | M/L | large and have a medium blue color[3] | A, B |
Titan™ | VERY LARGE [3] | A, F$$ | ||
Ochlockonee®
| Late season | L; rec powder blue as polinator; more resistant to bacterial canker great red fall color [E] | Abundant [3] ate delicious fresh fruit is desired. substantially exceeding Tifblue [E] | A, E, F |
Centurion | Mid to late | medium to large in size and are quite good quality. Darker in color[3] | A, B, C, E | |
Yadkin | late mid-season | Self fertile [B] Red fall leaf color. [E] | large fruit with good color.[B] | A, B, E |
Though some varieties bear fruit later than others, all varieties bloom at roughly the same time and are able to cross pollinate each other.
Blueberries require a soil pH of 4.0 to 5.3 to thrive.
References | Vendors |
[3] http://www.rabbitridgenursery.com/fruit/blueberries (for blooming)
E means an Early Season bloomer
EM means an Early to Mid Season bloomer
M means a Mid Season bloomer
ML means a Mid to Late Season bloomer
L means a Late Season bloomer |
B Finch
C Full of Life PBO 1 gal. $6.95, 3 gal. $14.95, & squat 5 gal. $24.95
D Useful Plants no Rabbiteye
E Edible Landscaping varies
F TyTY 2-3ft tall [$16.75 |