Blueberry Bushes

Often referred to as a ‘super food’ the humble blueberry has become a household favorite throughout Britain and is known for its versatility. Blueberries are incredibly easy to grow and make great container plants for those who don’t have a lot of space. If you are new to gardening or an experienced gardener then these plants are sure to delight and they are also great when gardening with children.

How to grow

Blueberries are very undemanding plants but there are a few requirements which when followed correctly will ensure an excellent crop of fruit. It is best to grow more than one plant variety as this will increase the chance of cross pollination and produce more blueberries than if you bought a single plant.

Position

Blueberries enjoy a position in bright sun but they can tolerate part shade. To maximize yield it is best to place your plants in a sunny position which has a degree of shelter to reduce the effects of cold winds that may affect flowering and cause fruit to drop from the plant.

Soil

Blueberries require a light and moisture retentive ericaceous (acidic) soil. By testing your soil with a soil testing kit you can establish whether your soil is naturally suited to growing these plants or whether you may need to improve your soil to suit the plants needs. If you have alkaline soil, or if you are unsure of your soil type it is best to grow your blueberry plants in containers filled with ericaceous compost.

Care

By following the above steps there is little additional care needed to provide you with a good crop. Keep plants watered and moist at all times and especially during warmer months. You can fertilize plants with a well-balanced fertilizer during the growing season and again with a high potassium tomato fertilizer on occasion to help with fruiting.

Harvesting

Harvest fruits when plump and blue with your thumb and forefinger. It may be necessary to grow your plants under netting or in a fruit cage to reduce damage caused by birds and small mammals.

Top Tip

As tap water contains lime it is always best to water your blueberries with rain water when possible. This will provide the optimum growing conditions which will translate in to healthy, vigorous and productive plants. You can conserve water by installing a water butt and planting with Water Beads.

Blueberry Bluecrop

A superb mid season variety, producing a good picking of large, richly flavored blueberries from the end of July. Forms a medium size, spreading bush approximately 120cm (4') high that is very tolerant of adverse conditions (especially frost) making it a good garden plant. Rusty red spring leaf tips mature into a strong green canopy and clusters of creamy white flowers develop into juicy blueberries in late July and August. Stunning autumn foliage is followed by a display of red stems in winter. Fruits within two to three years.

Blueberry Bluecrop Bush

This is a compact variety which is ideal for growing in good-sized patio containers using ericaceous compost. It's also very decorative with clusters of white blossom in spring and glossy green foliage which is at its most attractive as it turns to bronze in autumn. Blueberries are excellent for pies and make delicious jams and preserves.

Blueberry Brigitta

A late season variety, producing large, firm, light blue fruits on upright bushes that will eventually reach 180cm (6 feet) tall. The very tasty and richly flavored fruits have a crisp texture making them ideal for freezing as well as eating fresh from the bush. Self un-fertile requires another variety for pollination. Fruits ripen towards the end of August. Blueberries are quoted as having the highest antioxidant activity of any fruit and recent research has shown that eating blueberries can also improve night vision, help halt the ageing process, improve memory loss and improve balance and co-ordination.

Blueberry Chandler

Large, firm, tasty berries weighing up to 2g and measuring 20mm (¾inch) in diameter are produced from the beginning of August until mid September helping to extend your picking season. Makes an attractive low growing bush up to 150cm (5 feet) high. Blueberries are ideal for growing on the patio in a large container filled with ericaceous compost. You won't get a much healthier food than blueberries, as they are packed with health boosting compounds making them a very popular choice with many dietitians. In the spring the bushes are covered in masses of sweetly scented creamy white flowers, which soon develop into green fruits before maturing into juicy blueberries. Then in the autumn their leaves change to an delightful crimson color, making an attractive feature plant on the patio.

Blueberry Earliblue

As the name suggests, Blueberry : Earliblue is a very early maturing variety, producing large, light blue, sweetly flavored berries, that hang in medium sized clusters from the beginning of July. A stout bush that will grow up to 180cm (6 feet) high. Blueberries are ideal for growing on the patio in a large container filled with ericaceous compost. You won't get a much healthier food than blueberries, as they are packed with health boosting compounds making them a very popular choice with many dietitians. In the spring the bushes are covered in masses of sweetly scented creamy white flowers, which soon develop into green fruits before maturing into juicy blueberries. Then in the autumn their leaves change to an delightful crimson color, making an attractive feature plant on the patio.

Blueberry Ozarkblue

This late season variety has large firm light blue fruit of excellent quality. It flowers later than Bluecrop and will give consistent high yields later in the season. Grow it in a pot in ericaceous compost where its pretty flowers and foliage can be seen to their best advantage.

Blueberry Ozark Blue

This late season variety is vigorous, upright and gives consistently high yields - up to 15 lb of fruit per bush, when mature. Harvest the large, outstandingly flavored, light blue berries in mid August. Height 1.5-2m (5-6½') when mature, less if grown in a patio container.As the leaves unfold in spring, a delicate display of rusty red leaf tips mature into a strong green canopy. Clusters of creamy white flowers then sparkle against the foliage and these develop into attractive green fruits before maturing into juicy blueberries in late July through August. The autumn colors of the blueberry are stunning, leaving a striking display of red stems through the winter. Fruits within two to three years

Blueberry Top Hat

Nutritious blueberries. What could be more satisfying than juicy fruits picked fresh from your own garden? 'Top Hat' makes a decorative pot plant, producing white blossom in spring and attractive bronze autumn foliage. Its plump berries are packed with health-boosting compounds and are especially delicious in pies, muffins and jams.

Try our Water Beads

Blue Water Beads

Use Blue Water Beads to match or contrast with your décor. Place them in a clear pretty bowl or decorated plate with an upturned rim. Mix with other contrast colors from your overall color scheme to pull this together as a centerpiece. It will be a real conversation starter!

Clear Water Beads

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Melon Water Beads

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Teal Water Beads

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