Blueberry Varieties in the Northern Climate

Growing Areas

• Maine and Michigan are representative of the region where northern highbush blueberry Vaccinium cultivars can be grown successfully. According to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), most highbush blueberry varieties are developed in milder regions and don't grow well in areas north of zones 5 or 6, with most varieties being guaranteed for that area. Also, Michigan's climate is impacted by the lake effect, which raises temperatures slightly more than are usually found in those zones.

Early to Mid-early Varieties

• Blueberry varieties are classified not only according to the size of their fruit and their hardiness but also by when they ripen and are ready for picking. One of the earliest is "Patriot," which is very hardy and produces very large fruit that is ready to harvest in mid- to late July. New cane production for this variety is limited, but it can still produce a good crop if grown in rich soil and pruned lightly. Two old-fashioned varieties, "Blueray" and "Bluecrop," are also considered mid-early, and both have large fruit. Blueray's growth habits make it susceptible to breakage under heavy loads of snow. "Northland" grows to 5 feet or taller, and spreads by means of rhizomes that send up new shoots if left uncontrolled.

Mid-Late and Late Varieties

• Ripening from about mid-August and into early September, "Jersey" produces smallish mildly sweet fruit and tolerates a broader range of soil types than other highbush blueberries. "Nelson" produces large firm and flavorful berries on very hardy full-sized plants. "Blue Gold" produces a good-quality medium-sized berry on shorter plants.

Half-High Blueberry Plants

• A cross between highbush and lowbush blueberries, the half-high plant generally grows no taller than 4 feet. Developed in Minnesota, where winters are traditionally harsh, half-high blueberries are more likely to survive as they are more completely covered in snow, which acts as a protection from hard freezes. "Northblue" grows to 30 inches and is a good choice for backyard gardens or to attract birds. "Friendship" and "North Country" grow to just 2 feet and are equally good choices for gardeners wishing to introduce blueberries into their landscapes. "St. Cloud" has been rated as extremely cold hardy and grows to about 4 feet, producing darker very sweet berries.