The oval-leaved blueberry typically starts flowering in April.
oval-leaved blueberry
Vaccinium ovalifolium
Oval-leaved Blueberry is a small-scale deciduous shrub native to western North America. It typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall with an upright habit but can reach 5 feet in height. Leaves are long, thin, oval-shaped, and slightly serrated. In the summer it is covered in small white flowers that are followed in the fall by tiny, edible, semi-sweet blueberries. Oval-leaved Blueberry prefers well-drained soil in areas of low to moderate moisture. Its berries are excellent sources of nutrition and can be used in preserves, jams, and fresh desserts.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3
Flowers:
Showy, White, Pink Flowers In Spring
Sun:
Deep shade, Filtered shade, Part sun/part shade
Soil:
Acidic, Bog, Humus rich
Fruits:
blue Fruits In Summer Ready In Autumn
Edible:
Yes
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Maintenance:
Low
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Thorny:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Oval-leaved blueberries (Vaccinium ovalifolium) require regular watering in order to thrive. Generally, during their growing season, these plants should be watered weekly, allowing the top 2 to 4 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Water should be applied slowly and evenly, to ensure thorough absorption. In addition, during hot weather or hot spells, plants should be watered more frequently, as often as every other day. On the other hand, during cool weather or rainy days, plants should be watered less frequently, no more than once every 2 weeks. Overwatering can lead to root rot and disease, so it is important to have good drainage and never allow the plant to sit in water.
sunlight
Oval-leaved Blueberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium) can thrive in a variety of light conditions ranging between full sun and partial shade. When grown in conditions of partial shade, the plant will need to receive at least 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. When grown in full sun it needs 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. The best time of day for this species to receive its sunlight is between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm, when the sun is at its peak intensity. When exposed to too little sunlight, the growth rate of oval-leaved blueberry will be much slower.
pruning
Prune oval-leaved blueberries (Vaccinium ovalifolium) moderately after they have finished bearing fruit, in early August. This will encourage plenteous, healthy new growth for the next fruiting season. Start by removing dead canes (which have lost their leaves and other green foliage) and any weak, unproductive canes. Then thin out any overcrowded canes, leaving 5 or 6 of the strongest and healthiest canes. Aim to remove 25% of the canes in any 1 season. Prune stiff upright growing branches by hand shears or loppers to 14 to 20 inches high, and prune shoots to within 3 or 4 sets of leaves from the tips. Pruning is complete when the plants have an open, airy appearance. With blueberries, it's best to stop pruning in mid-summer so that the plants have time to set buds before cold temperatures arrive.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Harvest Fruit
The optimal time to start harvesting Vaccinium ovalifolium is typically in July and August.
