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This symbol denotes a disease resistant variety

BLUEBERRIES      

The plant nursery has closed for retirement.

 Bill Ford is available for consultation and presentations. Call 706-273-8295

Please feel free to use the following pages for reference. We thank you for your pratronage through the last 26 years. Happy gardening!

 RABBITEYE VARIETIES
Native to the south, rabbiteyes start ripening in June lengthen out the picking season into August. Two+ varieties are needed for cross pollination. Zones 6-9.

 

Baldwin

  A late ripening variety, Baldwin ripen over a longer period from early July to early August. Plants are moderately vigorous with upright growing habits.

Fruit are large, firm and very dark blue.  


Brightwell

  Early to mid-season ripening, this medium to large light colored blueberry is sweet and of excellent quality. Very good for home use with vigorous and upright growth. One of the most spring frost resistant.


Ochlocknee  (PP 17,300)

  Part of the GA River Series released from Univ. of Georgia in 2002, Ochlockonee has excellent yields. The firm berries have a good blue color and a sweet flavor. Plant growth is vigorous and upright. Ripens early to mid-season.


Premier

Bumper crops are produced with the distinctive powdery blue color on the large firm berries. The flavor is excellent, and the berries store well. The plant growth is vigorous ad upright. Ripens mid-late season.


Tifblue

  Bearing mid to late season, Tifblue is a very popular and productive variety. The berries are light blue, very firm and quite flavorful. Plant growth is vigorous and upright often used for ornamental hedges. It is the most winter hardy variety. 


Vernon (USPP 18,291)

  Another great variety for Univ. of GA, 2004, Vernon is an early season Rabbiteye, usually several days ahead of Climax and Premier. Berries of Vernon are large and have excellent flavor and firmness. The variety is hardy, escapes many late frosts, has good yields and excellent plant vigor. Care should be used in fertilizing Vernon, as over fertilization (especially nitrogen) promoting excess vegetative vigor but not readily contributing to yield. Alapaha is a recommended companion variety.


Brunswick

Wild Lowbush Blueberry
  (Vaccinium angustifolium) A native to the eastern U.S., the lowbush has great promise as an ornamental groundcover growing 8-12” high and 3-4 ft wide. Profuse white blooms yield small sized light blue fruit, and the dark glossy foliage turns bright red-orange in the fall. The berries have a “wild” blueberry flavor and high antioxidant levels. Annual pruning is not necessary, but the plants yield best if 2/3 of the growth is sheared back every third year in late winter.  Zones 3-7. 


NORTHERN HIGHBUSH 

Berries for gardeners requesting earlier crops, and for our more northern customers. Self-pollinating, but  will set a larger, better crop with two varieties planted. Zones 5-7a.

 

Bonus

Bonus is a mid to late season variety with very good hardiness and productivity. Bushes are vigorous, fruit is very large and firm (One of the largest available. Berries are medium blue with very good flavor.


Chandler

A mid to late ripening variety, Chandler has one of the largest berries available today. Will fruit over a period of 4-6 weeks, and has a very nice flavor. Vigorous, with a spreading habit of 5-6 feet. Hardy in Zones 5 to 7.


Liberty 

Liberty scores high with exceptional levels of antioxidants and phenols for your immune system! Berries area pretty powder blue, flavorful and large with excellent firmness for longer storage. Tolerant of fluctuating spring temps enable consistently yielding crops.

Plants have a vigorous and upright growth pattern.

Ripens in late season.


 

SOUTHERN  HIGHBUSH

  A cross of Rabbiteye with Northern Highbush, will withstand lower winter temperatures and high summer heat. Self-pollinate but, but  will set a larger, better crop with two varieties. Zones 7-10.

 

O'Neal  

  A very sweet and firm blueberry developed at NC State with the USDA. The bloom period is extended over a longer period of time and may produce two pickings. Plant growth is semi-upright. Ripens early.

 


Star   (PP.# 10675)

One of the earliest ripening and most popular new varieties. The fruit are large, firm and dark blue with excellent quality. Flavor is very sweet with slight tartness.

Ripens very early. 

 


Planting Information

Blueberries are one of the easiest and carefree fruits to grow - excellent for both the beginner and organic gardener. With few pests or diseases, spraying may be left to an "as needed" basis if ever. Plant in full (best) to part sun in well-drained compost-enriched soil with a pH of 4.5-5.2 is best.  Don't plant any deeper than the top of the root ball. Fertilize with two Grape-Berry Agriform tablets the first year. Mulch well (2-3") and keep a weekly deep watering the first two summers either by rain or irrigation.

Space 4-5 ft. for hedge effect or 8-10 ft. to be able to pick all the way around. Plant height may be kept at 4-6 ft. for easier picking.

It is recommended to pick off berries the first year to encourage good shrub growth. 

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Johnson Nursery, Inc.

Bill Ford: 706-273-8295  Ellijay, GA

 sales@johnsonnursery.com