Are Blueberries Deciduous?

Full-Size Deciduous Blueberries

• The most common blueberries grown in North American gardens are northern highbush types, which reach 5 to 6 feet tall. Crosses of these types with other Vaccinium species are known as southern highbush blueberries and are more heat-tolerant. All require full sun and well-drained, acidic soil. Jersey was the first cultivated blueberry variety developed from the wild blueberry plant; it was released in 1916.

Dwarf Deciduous Blueberries

• Lowbush blueberry varieties, such as Top Hat, grow less than 2 feet tall and wide. Half-high cultivars, crosses of lowbush and Northern highbush plants, reach 3 to 4 feet. Cultivars include Northsky, Northland, Northblue, Polaris, Chippewa and North Country. All make great cross-pollinators for full-size blueberries yet take up much less space. They can be easily grown in containers on a patio or balcony.

Evergreen Blueberries

• Only a few varieties of blueberries stay evergreen in mild climates: The most well-known are Misty, Sunshine Blue, Bountiful Blue and Crimson Legacy. In colder climates, they produce red, orange and gold fall color before their leaves drop. Misty, a northern highbush, is known for its blue-green leaves; it grows to 6 feet. Sunshine Blue, a southern highbush, has pink blossoms and grows 3 feet tall and wide, perfect for a container. Bountiful Blue has blue foliage and sets a large crop of sweet berries. Crimson Legacy's foliage turns red in winter.

Other Common Vacciniums

• Huckleberries are small, wild berry plants native to the Pacific Northwest, where they are a favorite food of bears and birds. They are evergreen, with coppery new foliage, and grow to 3 feet in sun or 12 feet in shade. Lingonberries, beloved by Scandinavians, are small, red berries used for sauces and jellies. A low-growing evergreen plant, lingonberries often are used as a ground cover. Cranberries are low, creeping shrubs that bear the tart red berries traditionally served at Thanksgiving.