highbush blueberry

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium 'Sunshine Blue') should be watered regularly to ensure adequate moisture and a healthy, lush growth. During the first few weeks after planting, water your blueberries deeply and generously. During the summer months, the plants should be watered in the morning once a week or as the soil becomes dry enough to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. To keep the soil moist, water more frequently in hot, dry periods. In periods of drought, supplement with deep rather than light frequent watering. During the winter months no supplemental water is needed.

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium 'Sunshine Blue') plants do best with 6 to 8 hours of full sun each day. Plant in areas with morning sun exposure and reflect midday sun away with a structure like a fence or sun shade. Highbush blueberry plants will tolerate some afternoon shade, but too much shade will reduce flowering, fruiting, and growth. For optimal growth, it's best to avoid a location with deep shade throughout the day and ensure the plants get plenty of direct sunlight.

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium 'Sunshine Blue') should be pruned in late winter or early spring, depending on the climate. Pruning should be done to remove dead, diseased, or damaged wood, as well as crossing, crowded or weak growth. This shrub can be pruned hard, removing up to 1-third of all the branches. Pruning hard rejuvenates bushes, improves fruit production, and helps it to maintain size and shape. Some overall light thinning of interior branches can also be done if desired. This should result in an open, airy, and nearly horizontal habit of branches with an upright center stem if desired. Pruning this species is best done by snipping back to a healthy bud, twig, or couple of inches from the ground.