Blueray Northern Highbush Blueberry Live Plant – 1 Gallon Bare Root – 10-12 inch

Overview

Experience the joy of harvesting your own succulent fruit with the blueray highbush blueberry plant. This robust 1-gallon bare root plant, measuring 10-12 inches in size, is a fantastic addition to any home garden. Known for its very sweet, light blue fruits, the Blueray variety offers excellent resistance to cracking, ensuring a bountiful and high-quality harvest. Originating from the northern highbush blueberry lineage, this plant is well-suited for various climates and transforms into a stunning landscape feature. The harvest season typically begins in July and can extend for several weeks, providing a steady supply of fresh berries for eating, baking, or preserving. Beyond its delicious fruit, the Blueray blueberry bush offers significant ornamental value, with its foliage turning a brilliant crimson in the fall, making it an ideal choice for an informal hedge or a striking accent in your garden.

To ensure optimal fruit production, it’s recommended to plant the blueray highbush blueberry plant with at least two other blueberry varieties. This cross-pollination significantly enhances berry size and overall yield, even though blueberry cultivars are often self-fertile. This live plant is a perfect choice for gardeners looking for both edible and aesthetic appeal, offering a blend of productive fruit and beautiful seasonal color. We provide these plants as bare root specimens, carefully prepared for shipping to ensure they arrive ready for planting and thriving in their new environment.

Key Benefits

Adding a blueray highbush blueberry plant to your garden offers a multitude of advantages, from delectable fruit to vibrant seasonal interest. This versatile plant is a true garden gem.

• Abundant, Sweet Fruit Production: Enjoy a generous harvest of very sweet, light blue blueberries that are perfect for fresh consumption, pies, jams, and smoothies. The fruits are known for their excellent crack resistance, ensuring quality berries.
• Extended Harvest Season: Berries ripen in July, and the harvest often continues for several weeks, providing a prolonged period of fresh fruit.
• Stunning Fall Foliage: The 5-6 foot tall bushes become a blaze of crimson in the fall, offering spectacular seasonal color and enhancing your garden’s aesthetic appeal. This makes it an excellent choice for ornamental landscaping.
• Versatile Landscaping Use: Ideal for creating an informal hedge, providing a natural border, or as a standalone specimen plant in your edible landscape.
• Health Benefits: Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamins, offering a healthy and delicious snack straight from your garden. Enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own nutritious food.
• Adaptable Growth: As a northern highbush blueberry, it is well-suited to various temperate climates, particularly those with sufficient chilling hours, making it a reliable choice for many gardeners.
• Supports Pollinators: The flowers attract beneficial pollinators, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your blueray highbush blueberry plant involves specific considerations to ensure healthy growth and bountiful fruit. Blueberries thrive in acidic soil with high organic matter content, so it’s crucial to prepare your planting site accordingly. Good drainage is essential, as the shallow fibrous roots of blueberries are sensitive to waterlogged conditions. However, they are not tolerant of drought and require consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. A sunny location will promote the best fruit production. When planting, spread the bare roots and position the plant so all roots are covered with soil, being careful not to plant too deeply. Incorporate peat moss into the planting hole; if using a planting mix with peat, ensure it’s saturated with water to prevent it from wicking moisture away from the roots.

For the first two weeks after planting, avoid placing bare root plants in full sun to allow them to acclimate to their new soil without stress. Water weekly during the first year, supplementing rainfall as needed to keep the soil consistently moist. Wait four to six weeks after planting before applying any fertilizer suitable for acid-loving plants. Avoid fertilizing in late summer or fall, as this can stimulate new growth that may be vulnerable to winter injury. The blueray blueberry care routine also includes planting multiple cultivars within 5 feet of each other to enhance cross-pollination, leading to larger berries and a potentially longer harvest season. This blueberry plant for sale will thrive with proper attention to its unique soil and moisture needs.

Size & Details

This offering is for one blueray highbush blueberry plant, shipped as a bare root specimen. The plant is approximately 2 years old and measures between 10 to 12 inches in size upon arrival. It is considered a 1-gallon sized plant once established. Mature Blueray bushes typically reach a height of 5 to 6 feet, forming an upright and somewhat spreading habit. The growth rate is moderate, allowing it to establish well in your garden. Expected to start producing a significant crop within 1-2 years of planting, with full production achieved in 3-5 years. This variety is known for its consistent yields and beautiful fall color. It is designed for outdoor planting and will require suitable chilling hours to produce fruit effectively. The bare root format allows for efficient shipping and good establishment when planted correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this blueray highbush blueberry plant get? A: The Blueray blueberry bush typically grows to a mature height of 5 to 6 feet tall and can spread similarly, making it suitable for informal hedges or as a standalone specimen in your garden.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: This is an outdoor plant, specifically a northern highbush blueberry variety, requiring specific chilling hours in winter to produce fruit. It is not suitable for long-term indoor cultivation.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: Blueray blueberries thrive in full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Adequate sunlight is crucial for optimal fruit production and plant health.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: While blueberries have specific soil and watering requirements (acidic soil, consistent moisture), with proper preparation and consistent care, they are manageable for most gardeners. Understanding blueray blueberry care is key.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your blueberry plant will arrive as a 10-12 inch bare root specimen, carefully packaged to ensure its health during transit. Instructions for immediate planting will be included.
• Q: When is the best time to plant this blueberry plant for sale? A: The best time to plant bare root blueberries is typically in early spring, once the danger of hard frost has passed, but before the plant breaks dormancy.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The Blueray Northern Highbush Blueberry is hardy and typically suitable for USDA Zones 4-7, requiring a certain number of chilling hours to produce fruit. Please check your specific USDA zone.
• Q: Do I need more than one blueberry plant for fruit? A: While Blueray is often considered self-fertile, planting at least two other blueberry varieties within 5 feet of it will significantly improve cross-pollination, resulting in larger berries and a more abundant harvest.
• Q: What kind of soil does it need? A: Blueberries require highly acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5, rich in organic matter. Well-draining soil is crucial to prevent root rot.
• Q: How often should I water the plant? A: During the first year, water weekly, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Established plants also need consistent moisture, especially during dry periods and fruit development.