Description
Botanical Name: Vaccinium ashei ‘Austin’
Common Name: Austin Blueberry, Rabbiteye
Description: Austin Blueberries are large, easily picked Rabbiteye blueberries that can be eaten fresh or used for juices, jellies, canning, or freezing. The Austin vine has an early ripening period, with the berries ready to pick in late spring or early summer. Bloom time is late winter/early spring. It is also a high producer so there will be plenty of berries to go around. The vine has an open habit and grows around 10-15′ tall and wide. Austin blueberries require 550 chill hours. It can be planted in full sun or partial shade. They will not thrive unless the soil pH is in the range of 4.0 to 5.5. If soil conditions are not adequately acidic, blueberries may produce satisfactory yields if planted in containers or raised beds with mixtures of peat moss and pine bark. Not drought tolerant. Deciduous.
This plant in 1-gallon containers is 1-3′ tall and wide.
Pollinator Needed: Climax, Premier
Interesting Tidbit: The best blueberry for Texas is the Rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei). It is grown commercially in East Texas, the humid woodlands being typical of native rabbiteye blueberry habitat. One rabbiteye blueberry plant can produce up to 15 pounds of berries per year and is an excellent choice for organic or EarthKind® orchards.
Hardiness Zones 7 – 9
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