Blueberry Cultivars for the Pacific Northwest Bernadine C

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A Pacific Northwest Extension Publication Oregon State University • University of Idaho • Washington State University PNW 656 • February 2014 Blueberry Cultivars for the Pacific Northwest Bernadine C. Strik, Chad E. Finn, and Patrick P. Moore

‘Bluecrop’ (northern highbush)

here are five main types of blueberries grown in ‘Rubel’, was introduced in the early 1920s. Many the United States: northern highbush, southern commercial northern highbush cultivars have been Thighbush, rabbiteye, lowbush, and half-high. developed through traditional breeding programs. The northern highbush is most common type grown Northern highbush cultivars are listed in Table 1. worldwide and in the Pacific Northwest. This publication briefly describes each type of Southern Highbush blueberry. Tables 1 and 2 list cultivars that are suit- Blueberries able for the Pacific Northwest. Southern highbush blueberries are complex hybrids of V. corymbosum and a native, evergreen Northern Highbush Florida species (V. darrowii). The plants grow about Blueberries 6 to 8 feet tall. In mild production regions, southern Northern highbush blueberries (Vaccinium cor- highbush blueberries can be grown in an evergreen ymbosum) are native to much of the eastern and system, in which the plants retain old leaves through northeastern United States, from the Appalachian the winter to advance the spring fruit crop. Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. The plants grow This type was developed to allow blueberry pro- 5 to 9 feet tall. One named selection from the wild, duction in low-chill areas (regions with mild winters,

Bernadine C. Strik, Extension berry crops professor, Oregon State University; Chad E. Finn, berry crops geneticist, USDA- ARS, Horticultural Crops Research Unit, Corvallis, Oregon; and Patrick P. Moore, scientist, Washington State University. All photos by Bernadine C. Strik, © Oregon State University, unless otherwise noted. ‘Bluejay’ (northern highbush) ‘Powderblue’ (rabbiteye) such as Florida and California). A dormant blue- Rabbiteye blueberries are more sensitive to winter berry plant requires a certain amount of chilling cold than northern highbush blueberries. Although (between approximately 32°F and 45°F) to break we have not seen much cold damage on rabbiteyes bud and flower normally. Southern highbush blue- grown in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, cold damage berries have a much lower chilling requirement (200 to flower buds and late-season growth has been to 300 hours) than northern highbush blueberries observed when temperatures drop below approxi- (more than 800 hours). mately 0°F to 5°F. We do not recommend this type of Southern highbush blueberries will grow in the blueberry for production east of the Cascades or in Pacific Northwest but have low yields. Bushes bloom northern Washington. in late winter, and flowers are frequently damaged Though newer cultivars have fruit quality simi- by frost. We do not recommend southern highbush lar to that of highbush types, many older rabbiteye blueberry cultivars for the Pacific Northwest. Some cultivars have darker blue fruit with more noticeable hybrid cultivars, such as ‘Legacy’ and ‘Ozarkblue’, can seeds, thicker skins, and noticeable grit or stone cells be grown successfully west of the Cascades; how- (as found in pears). Rabbiteye cultivars are listed in ever, cold damage to flower buds has been observed Table 1. in these cultivars when temperatures drop below approximately 0°F to 5°F. Lowbush Blueberries Lowbush blueberries (V. angustifolium) are native Rabbiteye Blueberries from Minnesota to Virginia and to the northeastern Rabbiteye blueberries (V. virgatum syn. V. ashei) United States and the Maritime Provinces of Canada. are native to the southeastern United States. The The plants are low-growing shrubs that spread plants grow from 6 to 10 feet tall. Rabbiteye cultivars by underground stems; they seldom grow taller were developed in regions with long, hot summers, than 1.5 feet. A few cultivars, such as ‘Blomidon’, and they behave differently in the Pacific Northwest ‘Burgundy’, and ‘Brunswick’, have been named, but than in their home environments. In this region, the the lowbush blueberry industry depends on manag- plants tend to be smaller, and the fruit ripens very ing wild stands made up of hundreds or thousands of late in summer and fall. In some cool summer envi- clones per acre. ronments, such as the Pacific Coast and northwest Plant more than one cultivar for good fruit Washington, there often is not enough heat to fully production. In general, lowbush types need little ripen the fruit. pruning, but cut plants back to the ground every 2 to 3 years if they get too shrubby.

2 Half-High Blueberries Half-high blueberries are the result of crosses between northern highbush and lowbush blueberries. These cultivars will tolerate -35°F to -45°F. The plants grow from 3 to 4 feet tall, and most of the fruiting area is protected below the snow line. Half-high blueberries are suitable for commercial production where other types of blueberry are not hardy. They are also used as attractive landscape plants and are suited to container production. In the landscape, they do not need to be pruned as severely or as regularly as highbush types. Half-high cultivars are listed in Table 2.

Pollination ‘Pink Lemonade’ (rabbiteye) Although highbush blueberry cultivars are generally self-fertile, cross-pollination by another cultivar produces larger berries. Choose a pollenizer within the same blueberry type to ensure good berry size and yield. All northern highbush blueberries are compatible with each other for cross-pollination. Rabbiteye and lowbush blueberries are not self-fertile. Rabbiteyes require a different rabbiteye cultivar for successful pollination, and lowbush blueberries can be pollinated by either another lowbush or a highbush cultivar for successful pollination and fruit production.

Cultivars for Colder Growing used with permission. Finn this page: Chad E. Photos Regions, Limited Space, or ‘Perpetua’ (half-high, ornamental) Container Production Although most commercial blueberry produc- cultivars ‘Elliott’, ‘Jersey’, and ‘Ozarkblue’ tend to tion in Oregon is west of the Cascades, northern bloom later than early and midseason cultivars. highbush blueberries are successfully grown in east- ‘Legacy’ has a particularly long bloom period. ern Washington, some areas of Idaho, and eastern Short growing seasons in high-elevation and Oregon. In these regions, growers must contend high-latitude sites present challenges for cultivars with shorter growing seasons and colder winter that ripen after ‘Liberty’ (particularly ‘Elliott’ and temperatures, and selection of cold-hardy culti- ‘Aurora’); these cultivars may not ripen reliably before vars and protection from spring frost damage are fall frosts. especially important. In eastern Washington, particularly cold sites in Harvest dates vary tremendously among culti- northeastern Oregon, and Idaho, plant only the most vars, but cultivars bloom within about a week of one cold-hardy cultivars. Avoid ‘Legacy’ and all rabbiteye another. Thus, selecting a mid- to late-season cultivar cultivars. The half-high cultivars listed in Table 2 does not necessarily ensure a late bloom date and are recommended for particularly cold production reduced susceptibility to spring frosts. regions where snow can also protect plants. These Of the early-season cultivars, ‘Duke’ and ‘Spartan’ cultivars also work well in containers and in home tend to bloom later than average. Late-season gardens as ornamentals.

3 ‘Draper’ (northern highbush) ‘Duke’ (northern highbush)

Cultivar Table Notes Commercial Production The cultivars in Table 1 are all northern high- A commercial value score is provided to help bush blueberries unless otherwise labeled. Table 2 commercial growers select appropriate cultivars for lists half-high blueberry cultivars. Not all of the fresh and processed markets: listed cultivars are available in nurseries; however, 1 = Appropriate for most commercial operations these are included in the tables because plants are 2 = May have commercial value but: long lived, and established plantings of older culti- (a) not enough is known about its performance vars exist. or Harvest Season (b) may meet a specific requirement (e.g., unique color or very early harvest) but Fruiting season varies by production region. has a negative trait (e.g., low yield or poor In Oregon, the blueberry fruiting season extends shipping quality) from late June through September, depending on type and cultivar (Figure 1). In Washington, pro- 3 = Unlikely to have good commercial value duction does not begin until early to mid-July, and Small Farm, U-Pick, and Home the season finishes earlier than in Oregon. The fruit on each cultivar ripens over period of 2 to Gardens 5 weeks. Cultivars that are well suited to small farms, Fruit Descriptions and Yield local sales, U-pick farms, and home gardens are noted as such. Descriptions of berry size and yield are primar- ily based on results of trials by the USDA-ARS/ What if you find a cultivar that’s not OSU cooperative breeding program at the OSU on these lists? North Willamette Research and Extension Center Find out as much about it as you can, such as in Aurora, Oregon. If a cultivar has not been its growth habit, hardiness, fruit characteristics, tested at this site, yield and berry descriptions disease susceptibility, and machine harvestability are based on grower experience throughout the (important for commercial growers). Pacific Northwest. Remember: If you purchase a cultivar that is not Pruning severity affects berry size. Evaluations on these lists, it probably hasn’t been extensively of berry size were done on well-pruned plants. tested in this region. It’s best to try a few plants When a berry is picked from the fruit stem first and see how well they grow and how you like (pedicel), a scar is left on the base of the berry. A the fruit. cultivar that has a small or “dry” scar will ship and store better than one that has a large or “wet” scar.

4 √ √ √ Small farm or home garden (Table continues) (Table

Large-scale value commercial 3 1 3 2 (yield and quality is where areas good for not are other cultivars hardy) cold 2 bush (challenging variable habit, performance) 3

Yield medium to Low high Medium to (but variable and location with management) Medium Medium (performs better with cross- pollination) high Medium to field (varies from year field and to year) to high Medium to Berry good firm, poor scar, blue, light Medium size, to shipping not suited loose clusters, flavor, firm, small scar, blue, light uniform, size, Large declines less in flavor quality, eating excellent shipping excellent than other cultivars, storage machine harvests (including for well quality, market) with optimal management fresh firm, blue, light size, large Medium to good flavor, medium scar, cracking, resists medium-loose clusters, aromatic, sweet, ripe berries will fruit ripens early, ships well, remain attached small and dry size, picking large Moderately firmness and excellent medium blue, scars, when fully ripen superior flavor very good firm, small scar, blue, light size, Large retains often quality, excellent overall flavor, when picked stems very firm, moderately blue, light size, large Very (avoids blooms late flavor, excellent good scar, concentrated injury)frost but ripens early, ripening permits main pickings two

Blueberry (which may stunt stunt (which may Bush compact, vigor, Moderate more productive, consistently than and winter-hardy frost- Earliblue root to Erect, open, susceptible performsrot, poorly when soil pH and fertility not optimal. on well-drained soil and Plant manage irrigation well. erect Vigorous, winter excellent erect, Vigorous, among flowering late hardiness, early cultivars squat, but somewhat Vigorous very to susceptible shock virus when young) if infected plants open, generally erect, Vigorous, on does not do as well heavy soils

Table 1. Northern blueberry highbush and rabbiteye cultivars Table of ripening. order northern are in approximate listed Cultivars highbush blueberries are unless otherwise Cultivars noted. or home commercial for Pamlico) Carteret, Misty, Fe, Santa San Joaquin, Emerald, Jewel, Star, O’Neal, (e.g., southern highbush cultivars do not recommend We Northwest. production in the Pacific garden Cultivar Bluetta Duke Earliblue Huron Plant (U.S. Patent 21,777) Bluegold Spartan

5 √ √ √ Small farm or home garden (Table continues) (Table

Large-scale value commercial 3 1 2 processed (excellent but not an ideal fresh- market berry because of dark color) 2 (has been surpassed in other cultivars by new plantings) 3 3 Yield Medium High high Very high Medium to High very to high Medium Berry not medium blue, flat, slightly size, large Very concentrated acidic flavor, firm, small scar, ripening permits main pickings, two berries (only half of the fruit blue) back” “red a have fruit clusters tight can have when immature, blue, variable), light veryMedium to (size large stores mild flavor, texture, crisp firm, small scar, ripening concentrated extremely well, medium scar, dark blue, size, large Medium to excellent machine harvestable, good flavor, for processing to sensitive cracking, resists Medium size, loose clusters, mild flavor, sunburn, small scar, ripe fruit can hang on machine harvests well, a long time without losing quality (so for plant pickings)can be harvested in fewer good firm, small scar, blue, light size, large Very concentrated quality, overall excellent flavor, clusters tight ripening, soft, thin skin, dark blue, Medium resists size, sweet excellent scar, large medium to cracking, well fruit hang flavor, very

), tolerant of ), tolerant

Pseudomonas Bush erect, moderately Vigorous, open, short (less than 4 feet), bacterial to blight sensitive ( cold soils, wetter heavier, and frost weather, produce may plants Young more whips and require many pruning. In some northern production fruit drop premature regions, has been a problem. open, upright, vigorous, Very if not overcrop to tends pruned correctly open, fast Extremely vigorous, medium spreading growing, moderate spreading, Stocky, longer than takes 1 year vigor, to cultivars vigorous more full production, into come does rot, root to susceptible soil not perform in heavier well spreading Vigorous,

Table 1. Northern blueberry highbush and rabbiteye cultivars Table of ripening. order northern are in approximate listed Cultivars highbush blueberries are unless otherwise Cultivars noted. or home commercial for Pamlico) Carteret, Misty, Fe, Santa San Joaquin, Emerald, Jewel, Star, O’Neal, (e.g., southern highbush cultivars do not recommend We Northwest. production in the Pacific garden Cultivar Patriot Draper Plant (U.S. Patent 15,103) Reka Plant (U.S. Patent 6,700) Bluejay Toro Olympia

6 √ √ √ √ Small farm or home garden (Table continues) (Table

Large-scale value commercial 3 1 3 strictly (suited for machine harvest, small-berry processed market) 2 strictly (suited for machine harvest, market) processed 3 3 (no longer widely or available) grown 2 for suited (well machine harvest, market) processed Yield Medium to very high high Medium to medium to Low Medium high Medium to Medium Medium Berry cracking, soft, resists blue, light size, large Very to susceptible fair or mild flavor, fair scar, fruit rot resists firm, blue, light size, large Medium to loose fruit good flavor, small scar, cracking, fruit can be tart machine harvests well, cluster, (only half of the fruit blue) back” “red or show or ripening in overcropped, early, if picked too very hot weather firm, small scar, medium blue, small size, Very machine harvestswell good flavor, cracking, resists medium blue, Small size, good flavor sweet, medium scar, resists medium blue, very to size, Large large aromatic, flavor, excellent fair scar, cracking, fair shipping quality clusters, tight resists cracking, firm, blue, light size, Large tart, aromatic, good flavor, medium scar, for not suited medium-loose fruit cluster, machine harvest soft, medium scar, dark blue, Small size, very fruit hang and can sweet, flavor, excellent be harvested passes with a machine in two Bush does open, spreading, Vigorous, well-drained soil best in light, open, easy to upright, Vigorous, overproduce to but tends grow if not pruned correctly vigorous Moderately upright large, vigorous, Very open upright, Vigorous, erect, not vigorous, Very productive consistently open, adapted erect, Vigorous, of soil types a wide range to

Table 1. Northern blueberry highbush and rabbiteye cultivars Table of ripening. order northern are in approximate listed Cultivars highbush blueberries are unless otherwise Cultivars noted. or home commercial for Pamlico) Carteret, Misty, Fe, Santa San Joaquin, Emerald, Jewel, Star, O’Neal, (e.g., southern highbush cultivars do not recommend We Northwest. production in the Pacific garden Cultivar Berkeley Bluecrop Rubel Jersey Blueray Ivanhoe 1613-A (called Hardyblue and growers by some nurseries)

7 √ √ √ √ √ Small farm or home garden (Table continues) (Table

Large-scale value commercial 2 fully new to (too evaluate) 1 2 (variable performance, especially fruit quality in warm weather) 2 (variable performance for productivity) 3 late-season(better wholesale fresh market cultivars available) 3

Yield high Medium to high Very High high to Low field (varies from year field and to often year, to because of poor fruit set) High high Medium to Berry good firm, small scar, blue, light size, Large texture with fruit concerns good flavor, medium blue, to light size, large Medium to very high very good flavor, veryfirm, small scar, long fruiting season quality, overall flat, slightly blue, bright size, large Medium to can soften very good flavor, firm, small scar, sections can of plants under high temperature, small (shot) berries produce good firm, small scar, blue, light size, Large shipping and tart, slightly excellent flavor, characteristics storage medium blue, light very to size, Large large scar, to large medium resists cracking, firm, tart slightly flavor, excellent good dark blue, medium to size, large Very very good flavor, good scar, firmness, can varylong ripening season, size when heavily cropped ) )

Pseudomonas Pseudomonas Bush open upright, Vigorous, habit can be vigorous, Very a trellis), (requires weepy foliage. evergreen somewhat originates New growth higher on bush; prune from winter. in late accordingly but requires upright Vigorous, to time consuming more trellis, other cultivars, prune than many cane diseases in to susceptible northern production regions open upright, vigorous, Very to sensitive erect, Vigorous, bacterial ( blight slightly vigor, Moderate to sensitive sturdy, spreading, bacterial ( blight occurs, when lush fall growth plants especially on young

Table 1. Northern blueberry highbush and rabbiteye cultivars Table of ripening. order northern are in approximate listed Cultivars highbush blueberries are unless otherwise Cultivars noted. or home commercial for Pamlico) Carteret, Misty, Fe, Santa San Joaquin, Emerald, Jewel, Star, O’Neal, (e.g., southern highbush cultivars do not recommend We Northwest. production in the Pacific garden Cultivar Calypso Patent Plant (U.S. applied for) Legacy Liberty Plant (U.S. Patent 15,146) Blue Brigitta Darrow Chandler

8 √ √ √ √ Small farm or home garden

Large-scale value commercial 3 not available) (plants 3 1 1 1 2 better (others have yield and quality) 1

Yield High (but erratic plant yields from to plant) Medium High very to high High high Medium to high Medium to high Medium to Berry firm, small medium blue, size, large Medium to good flavor scar, dark pink, to light good flavor Medium size, firm, small scar, blue, light Medium size, tart,to cracking susceptible fair flavor, and softening firm, small scar, dark blue, size, large Medium to to to let fruit hang on plant need mild flavor, much longer hangs for fully ripen and sweeten, than Elliott without shriveling firm, good blue, light size, large Medium to to splitting resistant be may good flavor, scar, from rain good firm, very small scar, blue, light Small size, subjectto splitting mild flavor, quality, fresh rain from very very blue, firm, light small scar, Small size, quality, very fresh overall good good flavor, rain splitting from to resistant ) Pseudomonas ) to ), sensitive Pseudomonas Pseudomonas Bush open vigor, Moderate erect, vigor, Moderate nice ornamental high vigor, to Moderate needs erect, very precocious, hard pruning stocky, vigor, Moderate habit, growth spreading especially when young narrow upright, Vigorous, to sensitive plants young crown, bacterial ( blight dense erect, Vigorous, plants young suckers, foliage, bacterial to blight sensitive ( dense erect, Vigorous, plants young suckers, foliage, bacterial to blight sensitive ( root rot.

Table 1. Northern blueberry highbush and rabbiteye cultivars Table of ripening. order northern are in approximate listed Cultivars highbush blueberries are unless otherwise Cultivars noted. or home commercial for Pamlico) Carteret, Misty, Fe, Santa San Joaquin, Emerald, Jewel, Star, O’Neal, (e.g., southern highbush cultivars do not recommend We Northwest. production in the Pacific garden Cultivar Ozarkblue Plant (U.S. Patent 10,035) Lemonade Pink (rabbiteye) Elliott Aurora Plant (U.S. Patent 15,185) Ochlockonee (rabbiteye) Plant (U.S. Patent 17,300) Tifblue (rabbiteye) Powderblue (rabbiteye)

9 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Home garden Yield Medium high Very to Low medium Low Medium Medium Unknown Medium Medium Berry blue, light medium size, Small to firm, good flavor sweet dark blue, Medium size, (less than 0.5 inch Medium size very sweet, good flavor diameter), sweet, very blue, light Small size, very good flavor very blue, Medium light size, verymedium firm, sweet good flavor size, large Medium to good flavor fair to Medium size, sweet medium blue, Medium size, mild flavor dark blue, Small size, Bush tall 4 feet to spreading, upright, Compact, to shoots, many spreading, Vigorous, 4 feet tall adapted tall and wide, 3.5 feet to Compact, of acidic soil types a wide range to tall and wide 3 feet to Compact, tall 4 feet to upright, vigorous, Compact, tall 3 feet open, to Upright, foliage ornamental Compact, ornamental 3 feet, to Compact, 4 feet, 3 to Compact canes, bush, upright ornamental very glossy leaves, dark green

Harvest Early Early midseason Early midseason Early midseason Midseason Midseason Midseason Midseason late to per year crops Two very and (small, early crop late-season crop) larger,

Table 2. Half-high and ornamental blueberry 2. Half-high and ornamental cultivars Table of ripening. order in approximate listed are Cultivars Cultivar Polaris Northland Northcountry Northsky Chippewa Northblue BrazelBerries Peach Sorbet Plant (‘ZF06-043’; U.S. 23,325) Patent Sunshine Blue Perpetua Plant (U.S. Patent 24,209)

Figure 1. Approximate fruiting season of highbush and rabbiteye blueberry cultivars at the OSU North Willamette Research Research blueberryWillamette the OSU North fruiting season of highbush and rabbiteye at cultivars 1. Approximate Figure OR. Aurora, and Extension Center, yield has been harvested. of total which 50% percent sorted at are the date by Cultivars yield. 95% of total harvest 5% to season for Bars represent Ripening practices. and cultural time can vary (weather) with year

11 All cultivars shown on this page are northern highbush types.

‘Aurora’ ‘Bluegold’ ‘Chandler’

‘Darrow’ ‘Elliott’

‘Jersey’ ‘Legacy’ ‘Liberty’

12 For More Information Highbush Blueberry Production (PNW 215). Oregon State University Extension. (under revision in 2014) Growing Blueberries in Your Home Garden (EC 1304). Oregon State University Extension. A Grower’s Guide to Pruning Highbush Blueberries (DVD 2). Oregon State University Extension. Available as a DVD (for purchase) or as a free online video in English or Spanish. Click here to watch the English version. Click here to watch the Spanish version. PNW Extension Catalogs Oregon: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ Washington: http://pubs.wsu.edu Idaho: http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edComm/ catalog.asp

‘Ochlockonee’ (rabbiteye)

‘Spartan’ (northern highbush) ‘Rubel’ (northern highbush) ‘Reka’ (northern highbush)

This publication replaces OSU Extension publication EC 1308,Blueberry Cultivars for Oregon. Trade-name products and services are mentioned as illustrations only. This does not mean that the participating Extension Services either endorse these products and services or that they intend to discriminate against products and services not mentioned.

© 2014 Oregon State University. Pacific Northwest Extension publications are produced cooperatively by the three Pacific Northwest land-grant universities: Oregon State University, Washington State University, and the University of Idaho. Similar crops, climate, and topography create a natural geographic unit that crosses state lines. Since 1949, the PNW program has published more than 600 titles, preventing duplication of effort, broadening the availability of faculty specialists, and substantially reducing costs for the participating states.

Published and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the Oregon State University Extension Service, Washington State University Extension, University of Idaho Extension, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

The three participating Extension services offer educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination based on age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status. The Oregon State University Extension Service, Washington State University Extension, and University of Idaho Extension are Equal Opportunity Employers. Published February 2014. 13