Blueberry Varieties in Order of Ripening

Types of Blueberries

• Northern high-bush blueberries were bred from wild blueberry plants native to the northeast coast of the United States. They require a chilling period to thrive. Southern high-bush blueberries are a cross between the northern types and native southern blueberries, which ripen earlier in the South's warmer climate without requiring a winter chill. Rabbiteye blueberries are native to the Southeastern United States and don't grow well outside their area. Low-bush blueberries are a wild blueberry native to the Northeastern United States and Canada. Half-high blueberries are a cross between northern high-bush and low-bush varieties. They are more compact and cold hardy than their larger cousins and a good choice for gardeners in places with cold winters.

Very Early

• The earliest blueberry varieties ripen in April and May in warm climates and begin producing in June in mild climates such as in USDA Hardiness zones 7 and 8. They include Earliblue, Patriot, Bluetta and Sunrise, all northern high-bush types, as well as Snowchaser, Primadonna, Springhigh and Rebel, southern high-bush varieties.

Early

• Northern high-bush types in order of ripening include Duke, Draper, Reka, Spartan, Meader and Collins. Southern types are Star, Palmetto and Oneal. A half-high bush, Polaris, also ripens early.

Early-Mid

• The Northland and Bluejay northern high-bush varieties follow the early ripeners. Southern types in this group include Jewel and Abundance. Northcountry, Northland and Northsky, half-high varieties, also are early- to mid-season producers.

Mid

• The season with the most varieties available includes the evergreen cultivars Sunshine Blue and Bountiful Blue. Mid-season northern high-bush varieties, in order of ripening, include Blueray, Toro, Draper, Bluegold, Ivanhoe, Olympia and Bluecrop. Southern high-bush varieties include Emerald, Camellia, Misty and Biloxi. The half-high cultivars Chippewa and Northblue also ripen mid-season.

Mid to Late

• Northern high-bush varieties Chandler, Berkeley, Pemberton, Herbert, Rubel and 1613-A (often called Hardiblue) belong to this group. A widely grown southern high-bush, Legacy, also produces its berries in late mid-season.

Late

• Late-season varieties, in order of ripening, include Colville, Jersey, Darrow, Liberty, Brigitta and Lateblue. Southern high-bush types are Sharpblue, Southmoon and Ozarkblue.

Very Late

• The latest producers are Elliott and a new variety, Aurora, which is the latest-ripening blueberry in cultivation.