The Best Blueberries to Grow

Rabbiteye Blueberry Shrubs

• Rabbiteye blueberries are very hardy compared to the other major varieties of blueberry plants. The plants are pest-tolerant, produce bountiful crops and can acclimatize to many areas although they are most popular in the southern USDA hardiness zones (7 through 9). Some popular Rabbiteye varieties include Baldwin, Brightwell, Bluebell, Beckyblue, Briteblue, Chaucer, Choice, Delite and Premier. Rabbiteye blueberry shrubs benefit from having more than one variety in the garden because it aids in cross-pollination and fruit production. These garden shrubs can grow 12 to 15 feet tall.

Lowbush Blueberry Shrubs

• Lowbush blueberry shrubs tend to grow well in northern climates. Lowbush blueberries are generally wild blueberries. While some commercial growers plant lowbush varieties, they often plant them where wild lowbush shrubs already exist. For the home garden, lowbush blueberries make good ground cover plants as they grow 1 to 2 feet in height and produce both flowers and a fruit crop each year. Popular varieties of the Lowbush are Burgundy, Claret, Jonesboro, Cumberland, Fundy, North County, Northsky, Tophat, Pretty Yellow, Spring and Verde. Lowbush varieties are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 6.

Northern Highbush Blueberry Shrubs

• Northern highbush blueberry varieties are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8 and grow to heights of 6 to 8 feet. However, a few highbush varieties can reach 12 to 15 feet. The many varieties of the northern highbush produce varying amounts of berries and ripen at different times during the summer, which can facilitate a longer harvesting season. Northern highbush varieties have soft, small fruit compared to other varieties. While multiple varieties are not necessary with northern highbush shrubs, cross-pollination will help produce a larger fruit crop. The most popular varieties of the northern highbush include Bluecrop, Bluetta, Blueray, Elliot, Jersey, Patriot, Rubel and Spartan.

Southern Highbush Blueberry Shrubs

• Southern Highbush varieties are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9 and can tolerate the high summer temperatures of the south. Most Southern Highbush shrubs grow to six to eight feet in height but can reach 12 to 15 feet. These varieties can produce a bountiful crop of blueberries even in moderate drought conditions. Common Southern Highbush varieties include Blue Ridge, Cape Fear, Darrow's, Georgia Gem, Legacy, O'Neal, Ozarkblue, and Summit. Similar to the Northern Highbush varieties, the Southern Highbush does not require cross-pollination to produce fruit; however, it will help to produce larger berries that ripen earlier in the harvesting season.