Tifblue Blueberry Bush

Description

Botanical Name:  Vaccinium ashei ‘Tifblue’

Common Name:  Tifblue Blueberry, Rabbiteye

Description:  Tifblue Blueberry is a rabbiteye blueberry which is more cold hardy than most blueberry varieties, with a 600-700 chill hour requirement. The plant is vigorous and productive, with the berries ripening late June through July. The berries, large in size and light blue in color, can be used for eating or for ornamentation in your yard or garden. Grows in sun, part sun, or part shade, and needs well draining, acidic soil. These blueberries are native to the Southern US and are a favorite in home gardens because of their resistance to disease and heat and drought tolerance. The Tifblue Blueberry Bush is considered “the most universally outstanding Rabbiteye blueberry” according to the Texas Agrilife Extension Service. It has the potential to produce a huge abundance of blueberries. White blossoms are formed in mid to late March with the promise of ripe berries in Mid-June to late July. Foliage can be characterized by a glossy green texture with a beautiful burgundy fall color. Tifblue blueberries are small to medium in size and are tart in flavor until fully ripened.

The Tifblue Blueberry bush makes a great hedge because of its large size. Use it for screening purposes, plant in clusters or as a single specimen in the backyard.

This plant in 1-gallon containers is 1-3′ tall and wide.

Pollinator Needed: Climax, Brightwell

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. It is also native to Texas.

Hardiness Zones 7 – 9