Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

highbush blueberry

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Vaccinium corymbosum

Family:

Ericaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

6-12 ft tall by 3-5 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

blue,black

Phenology:

deciduous

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits, Fall Color

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Use as a natural hedge behind shorter plants.

Considerations:

Fussy about the acidic soil.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Specialty Provider

Propagation:

Seed, softwood cuttings, and divisions.

Light:

Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Birds, Mammals

Attracts many pollinators especially native bees.   Documented bee visitors include Augochloropsis sumptuosa, Dialictus placidensis, Osmia sandhouseae, Habropoda laboriosa, Apis mellifera (honeybee) and Bombus impatiens (Deyrup et al. 2002).

Many birds and other wildlife consume fruit the fruit and spread the seed.

Native Habitats:

Moist-wet sites. Hardwood swamps, cypress swamps, seep swamps.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Edible fruits.

General Comments: