Highbush Blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum)is a deciduous shrub known for its botanic characteristics that make it both ornamental and productive . It typically grow between 6 to 12 feet tall , with an upright , multi - caulescent habit that form a obtuse brushwood over time . The leaves are egg-shaped , dark glossy K during the growing time of year , work into magnificent shades of cherry , orange , yellow , and over-embellished in the declination , adding pregnant visual solicitation . Highbush blueberry bush produces white-hot to very light pink , bell - work flowers in springtime , which give room to the plant ’s theme song dispirited - bootleg Charles Edward Berry in summertime . These berries are not only delicious but also tamp with antioxidants . The shrub is tetraploid , meaning it has four sets of chromosome , which kick in to its vigor and the size of its fruit .
The history of the Highbush Blueberry traces back to its cultivation by aboriginal American kin group , who used it for both nutrient and medicinal purposes . However , its commercial cultivation start in the former twentieth century , thanks to the exploit of Elizabeth Coleman White and Frederick Vernon Coville . They arise the first cultivated varieties in 1908 , lead to the Highbush Blueberry becoming one of the most vulgar commercially farm blueberry bush in North America . Over the years , legion cultivars have been developed to amend flavor , size , and resistor to pests and diseases , make it a staple in both home gardens and commercial-grade agriculture .
aboriginal to the easterly half of North America , Highbush Blueberry is found from Ontario east to Nova Scotia and southerly to Florida and eastern Texas . Its instinctive habitat includes sloshed timberland , bogs , and low area with acid , well - drained soils , ruminate its penchant for environments that mime these conditions in cultivation . This aboriginal chain spotlight its adaptability to a variety of mood within its hardiness zones but with a strong penchant for acidic , dampish conditions .
In terminus of lifespan , Highbush Blueberry plant are repeated and can live on for over 40 years if well - maintained . They require acidulous soil , with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5 , and ordered wet without waterlogging . right care , including pruning , fertilization , and protection from pests and disease , can significantly offer the fertile life of these shrubs , ensuring year of Chuck Berry harvests .
Regarding USDA hardiness zones , Highbush Blueberry is suitable for geographical zone 3 to 7 , with some cultivar extending into zones 8 and 9 , in particular the southern highbush variety show which have been cover for lower scary essential and slap-up heat tolerance . In these zones , the plant can endure winter lows and still bring out a bountiful crop come summertime , provided it receives the necessary shiver hours to break dormancy . The precise zone suitability can vary among dissimilar cultivar , so selecting the right diverseness for your specific climate and stain conditions is crucial for successful cultivation .
