Types of Highbush Blueberries

Early Season Varieties

• The 'Northland Short' and 'O'Neal' cultivars both ripen in the early season. These shrubs are rapid growers with abundant soft, small- to medium-size berries on each plant. The 'Northland Short' is very cold hardy northern variety while the 'O'Neal' grows well in the South. Early season blueberries begin to ripen in May and June, depending on your location.

Early to Midseason Varieties

• Several cultivars of northern and southern highbush blueberries ripen in the early to midseason. These include the northern 'Patriot Short,' 'Bluetta' and 'Spartan' varieties, which are moderate growing, upright shrubs with medium- to large-size, firm berries of excellent quality. The 'Blueray,' 'Meader' and 'Patriot' cultivars have a spreading and upright growth habit and produce high quality, large, firm berries. The southern 'Cape Fear' variety is a fast-growing shrub with very soft, large berries. Early to midseason blueberries are ripe in June through late July.

Midseason Varieties

• Midseason varieties include the northern 'Bluecrop,' 'St. Cloud Short,' 'Rubel' and 'Northland' and the southern 'Blue Ridge' and 'Georgia Gem.' The 'Bluecrop' is an upright shrub with large, firm berries of high quality and the 'St. Cloud Short' has a spreading habit and produces high yield of dark colored medium-size berries. The 'Rubel' and 'Northland' produce sweet berries of small to medium sizes, respectively. 'Blue Ridge' and the 'Georgia Gem' are both rapid-growing plants that produce large, firm berries. Midseason blueberries generally peak in July and early August.

Mid- to Late Season Varieties

• Cultivars that ripen in the mid- to late season include the northern 'Nelson' and 'Blue Gold Short' and the southern 'Legacy' and' Summit' varieties. These shrubs are upright varieties that produce good quality berries and have a moderate to vigorous growth rate. Many of these cultivars have medium- to large-size berries with nice flavor. Harvest mid- to late-season blueberries from July through late August.

Late Season Varieties

• The northern 'Jersey' or 'Elliot' and the southern 'Ozarkblue' are popular late season cultivars. 'Jersey' is an upright shrub with produce large yields of fair quality, firm berries. The 'Elliot' is an upright variety with medium- to large-size, tangy berries. 'Ozarkblue' is vigorous growing shrub that produces large, sweet, light blue colored berries. Late-season blueberries ripen from late July through early September.