The Best Blueberry Plants for the South

Southern Highbush Blueberry

• Southern Highbush blueberries are a hybrid of several wild varieties and will thrive in any part of the South that does not regularly experience temperatures below 10 F. Southern Highbush blueberries prefer a more acidic soil. Misty, Oneal and Sharpblue are suitable varieties for early in the season. Jubilee, Southmoon and Sunshine Blue bloom well in midseason.

Rabbiteye Blueberry

• Rabbiteye Blueberries are native to the southern United States and are easy to grow in the region. In fact, this variety is known to grow wild in parts of Georgia, Alabama and Florida. They are more heat and drought resistant than the Southern Highbush and can thrive in a wide range of soil types. Cross-pollination is very important to the rabbiteye blueberry, and this plant actually has it's own "blueberry bee" that exclusively pollinates them. Climax, Brightwell and Becky Blue varieties should be planted early in the season, and Tifblue, Powderblue and Centurion thrive in mid to late season.

Highbush Blueberry

• Highbush blueberries grow mostly in the northern United States, as they are more adapted to survive colder climates than extreme heat or drought. Some southern regions with colder winter temperatures, like the mountain regions of North Carolina, can provide a suitable climate for these heartier plants. Duke, Sunrise, Blueray, Bluecrop and Toro are common Highbush Blueberry plants.