The Best Blueberry Bushes for Tennessee

Northern Highbush Blueberries

• Native to the northern parts of the United States, northern highbush blueberries thrive in the higher elevations of Tennessee as they need at least 600 chilling hours, or hours where the temperatures are under 45 degrees F, to bear fruit. These blueberries require consistently moist soil and don't tolerate high temperatures. As they bloom later in the spring, they are less susceptible to late frosts, according to University of Tennessee. Like most blueberries, northern highbush blueberries begin producing blueberries in two to three years. Any blooms before then, should be snipped off to encourage good root formation. Bluecrop is northern highbush blueberry ideal for the higher elevations in Tennessee. It bears a large, light blue berry mid-season. Jersey is a late-season blueberry with a medium-sized berry. Although some varieties are self-pollinating, planting two varieties assures a good harvest.

Rabbiteye Blueberries

• Rabbiteye blueberries thrive in warm, dry climates due to the waxy coating covering the foliage and helping the plant conserve moisture. Plant this blueberry in the lower elevations of Tennessee where late frosts won't damage the early-blooming flowers. This type of blueberry produces small, but sweet fruit, according to the University of Tennessee Extension. Rabbiteye blueberries generally grow to 10 or 15 feet tall and wide. They require acidic soil and will suffer in soils with a pH higher than 5.5. Plant two varieties of Rabbiteye blueberries to assure cross-pollinations. Cultivars to consider for your Tennessee garden include Tifblue, with light blue berries. This berry is more cold tolerant than other Rabbiteye blueberries. Garden Blue is a mid-season blueberry with small, light blue berries. A newer variety, Climax, ripens early in the season and produces large crops.

Southern Highbush Blueberries

• Southern highbush blueberries are a cross between rabbiteye and northern highbush berries. These berries have a low chilling requirement, or how many hours of temperatures below 45 degrees they need in their dormant period. Southern highbush blueberries are self-pollinating so you need only one variety for your bush to produce fruit. These shrubs thrive in the lower elevations of Tennessee and in the southern part of the state. Sharpblue is an early-season variety of southern highbush blueberry for your Tennessee garden. Southmoon produces large flavorful berries late in the season. Jubilee is a mid-season blueberry ideal for your Tennessee garden.