blueberries

by Nancy Garrison
Revised: 01-Mar-2003

Introduction

In February 1997, with the invaluable help of my Master Gardener volunteers, I established a variety trial to evaluate 15 varieties of blueberries in a replicated trial. This was conducted at the Bay Area Research and Extension Center of the University of California located in the City of Santa Clara near Valley Fair Shopping Center. The objective was to determine which varieties of blueberries grow and produce best under our soil and climatic conditions in Santa Clara County. The South Bay Area has not been known as a blueberry growing area, but a few people, including myself, have been growing them successfully for nearly a decade.

We trialed Northern Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum), Southern Highbush (Vaccinium darrowi), as well as interspecific hybrids. Each of the 15 varieties were replicated four times with four plants per replication totaling 255 blueberry plants. There was also a border row on the east and west perimeters which contained one or more of each of the varieties. Fall Creek Nursery in Oregon was the source for all plants included in this trial.

Varieties

Blueberry varieties are distinguished by their climate suitability and ripening season. One might want to select varieties that ripen at different times or feature large fruit (best for fresh eating and desserts) or small fruit (best for muffins and pancakes). Bushes with brilliant fall color or different growth habits offer the gardener lots of choices to use throughout the landscape. Plant at least two plants per family member.