Varieties of Blueberries

Choosing Blueberry Varieties
The general rule of thumb is to buy local if 3 year old blueberry bushes are available; check the local farmer’s markets.  Otherwise, go to a reputable nursery on the Internet.  Stark Brothers and Miller Brothers come to mind, but there are many to choose from .


The issue for us is to have three groups of bushes: those that ripen early in the season, those that are mid-season, and those that ripen late in the season.  With three to four bushes in the three groups (12 plants) you have lots of blueberries for the longest period of time.

Toro Blueberry Plant -Huge Berries-Early - Self Fertile

by Hirts: Fruit & Berries

  • Huge berries
  • Self-Fertile
  • Hardy in zones 4-9
  • Plant in full sun to part shade
  • The starter plant you will receive is growing in a 3" pot

A versatile blueberry bush that makes a lovely ornamental plant... as well as producing pounds of delicious, healthy Toro blueberries. Toro Blueberry bushes are known for being heavy producers... you get buckets of berries every year! Even after an extremely cold winter, your Toros will produce tons of sweet berries in mid-July. Fantastic as a border or privacy hedge... the Toro boasts delicate white to hot pink flowers in the spring and fiery red foliage in the fall. It's even self fertile! It is not necessary to provide a pollinator for the Toro. However, planting another variety of blueberry alongside the Toro will increase berry production.

These berries are huge! Toro Blueberries are much larger and juicier than typical blueberries you find from the store.

Pink Lemonade Blueberry Plant - Be the 1st on the Block

by Hirts: Fruits & Berries

  • Pink Blueberries add Sizzle to Your "Snackscape"
  • Lovely pink-white flowers in spring, hot pink fruit in late summer
  • Self-pollinating, only one plant is needed for berries. But the more the better!
  • The fruit is just as sweet and mild as regular blueberries
  • The plant you will receive is well branched, about 7-9" tall and growing in a 2 1/2" x 3" pot

Be the first in your neighborhood to grow 'Pink Lemonade' blueberries. With lovely pink-white flowers in spring, hot pink fruit in late summer and orange-red leaves in fall, this award-winning blueberry is a stand-out in ornamental beds and foundation plantings, providing three-season interest and a delicious, nutritious harvest. The fruit is just as sweet and mild as regular blueberries. Hardy in zones 4-7. Plant in full sun; prefers acidic soil. Mature size is 5' x 5'. Will begin producing fruit in 2 years. Plants are 16 to 18 months old.

Top Hat Dwarf Blueberry Plant - Bonsai/Patio/Outdoors

by Hirts: Fruits & Berries

  • Ideal for containers and small spaces
  • In the spring the plant is loaded with so many flowers it looks like a white-flowering heather
  • Self-pollinating, only one plant is needed for berries.
  • Makes a great bonsai or indoor plant.
  • The plant you will receive is well branched, about 8" tall and growing in a 2" x 3" growers pot

Top Hat Blueberry simply has to be seen to be believed. Here is a beautiful, moundshaped, compact shrub that is ideal for containers and small spaces, loaded with so many flowers in spring it looks like a white-flowering heather, followed by hundreds of delicious full-size blueberry fruits that make it doubly decorative. Top Hat is also becoming a favorite of bonsai enthusiasts, since the plant so easily allows itself to be restricted in a bonsai dish and shaped into a decorative bonsai accent, even flowering and fruiting as a bonsai accent. Developed from a breeding program at Michigan State University by one of the country's leading blueberry specialists, plants are cold hardy and easy to grow. Round, firm, flavorful fruits are a dusky blue just like those you find in the stores - perfect for fresh eating, making jam and baking into muffins or pies.

Hardiness Zone: 5-8; hardy to -25 F
Size at Maturity: 2 ft. by 2 ft.
Soil Preference: Acid 4.5 to 5.5 pH

Light Needs: Full sun or partial shade

Blueberries are valued for their ornamental foliage, flowers and berries. Their small bell shaped flowers contrast beautifully with the leathery leaves during the spring and summer and are followed by edible round berries which turn purple when ripe to eat. The plant you will receive is growing in a 2" x 3" growers pot. It is well branched and about 8" tall.

see all questions...

Do you have a gardening question? Ask Nancy