Highbush blueberry typically starts flowering in April.
highbush blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum 'Nelson'
Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum 'Nelson') is a deciduous shrub native to the eastern United States and Canada. Its large, dark-green leaves provide a lovely backdrop to its white spring flowers and its large purple berries that ripen in late summer. This hardy plant grows in a variety of soils, from light sand to heavy clay, and tolerates both wet and dry conditions once established. It prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade. The 'Nelson' variety is particularly cold tolerant and produces medium-sized, flavorful berries. Plant it in a sunny, well-drained spot and enjoy the bounty of deliciously sweet, juicy fruit each season!
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Frequent
Propagation:
Layering Propagation,Cutting,Division,Grafting Propagation,Tissue Culture
Hardiness Zone:
5 - 8
Flowers:
White Flowers In Spring
Sun:
full sun
Fruits:
blue,purple Fruits Ready In Fall
Edible:
Yes
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Moderate
watering
Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum 'Nelson') plants should be watered regularly during the growing season. Water deeply and thoroughly twice per week, for a total of 4-5 gallons per plant. Be sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy. During the summer, it is important to water the plants during drought periods to ensure optimal growth. In late fall and winter, reduce the amount of water given to the plants to 1 gallon per week.
sunlight
Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum 'Nelson') prefers full sunlight for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. During those hours, the blueberry plant should receive plenty of direct light. If grown in an area where there is less than 6 hours of sunlight each day, there should be supplemental lighting added to supplement the available sunlight. It is also important to ensure that the plant is not getting too much direct light, as this can cause sunburn and damage to the plant and the fruit.
pruning
Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum 'Nelson') should be pruned annually, just after harvest during the summer months. Pruning should begin when the plants are 2 years old in order to build a strong framework and encourage long-term production. Dead, diseased and overcrowded branches should be removed, as well as those that are too long or competing for light. Approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of the bush should be pruned each year. To shape and size the bush, thin out vertical branches and reduce the length of lateral shoots. Prune any new growth back to 2 buds in order to maintain the desired shape.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Harvest Fruit
The harvesting season for Vaccinium corymbosum 'Nelson' (highbush blueberry) typically begins in July and continues through August.
