Description
Hardy, North American shrub with edible fruits
Description: Medium to large, light-blue, sweet fruits ripen late season (typically in late June-late July); red and yellow fall color
Habit: Grows 8-12 feet tall; upright and productive
Culture: Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained, acidic soils (ideal range of 4 to 5.5 pH); fruit production is improved when grown with two additional varieties, such as ‘Tifblue’ and ‘Onslow’; 550-650 hours chilling requirement for fruit set
Hardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zone 7
Native to the southeastern United States, the Rabbiteye Blueberry is one of three native blueberry species popular for home and commercial fruit production, along with Highbush (V. corymbosum) and Lowbush (V. angustifolium) Blueberries. Named for the pink immature fruits’ similarity to the eyes of a white rabbit, V.virgatum is taller and more drought and heat-tolerant than V. corymbosum and V. angustifolium. While the species was introduced into cultivation in 1770, ‘Powderblue’ was released jointly by North Carolina State University and the USDA in 1978 and is notable for its extended harvest season and the fruit is not very susceptible to cracking.
This plant will ship bare root. Approximately 12” tall.
Bare root planting tips:
~ If you can't plant immediately, store your plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center.
~ Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You'll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery.
~ Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.
