Blueberry Plants for Northeast Florida

Climax

• Grow climax blueberries for early season fruiting in northeast Florida. This rabbiteye cultivar produces firm, small to medium-size berries with good color and flavor. Depending on temperatures, climax blueberry plants bloom from late February to early March. It flowers more heavily than other early blooming varieties. Climax requires 400 to 450 chill hours to produce fruit. Berries ripen from late May to early June. Climax blueberry is susceptible to Blueberry gall midge and may require an insecticide. Plant climax with beckyblue or bonita blueberries for best cross-pollination.

Powderblue

• Grow Powderblue for midseason fruiting in northeast Florida. This rabbiteye cultivar produces medium-size, light blue berries of average firmness and color. Powderblue blooms from May to June. Fruits ripen from late June to late July.

  Powderblue requires 550 to 600 chill hours to set fruit. Its berries are less susceptible to cracking and drop than its predecessor, tifblue. Plant Powderblue with tifblue, brightwell, Columbus, Ira or Oclockonee for best cross-pollination.

Chaucer

• Chaucer, a high-yielding midseason rabbiteye cultivar, grows vigorously. The bush spreads as it grows. Chaucer's soft, medium-size berries should be hand-picked. The plant requires 350 to 400 hours of chill to produce fruit. Grow climax with Chaucer for cross-pollination.

Brightwell

• IFAS recommends brightwell rabbiteye variety over all others. The plant produces high yields of medium-size, good flavored berries. Brightwell berries ripen in June. Brightwell needs 350 to 400 chill hours to set fruit. Grow climax with brightwell for cross-pollination.

Windsor

• One of the few southern highbush cultivars recommended for north Florida, Windsor flowers in late February in the Gainesville area and sets fruit in May. Windsor's stout stems and heavy leafing habit support high yields of firm, excellent-flavored berries.

  Grow Windsor with star or Santa Fe blueberries for cross-pollination.