Rabbiteye Blueberries

From PlantWiki

Blueberry Bushes
Species
Vaccinium

History

Domesticated blueberries have only been cultivated in the last century, but wild varieties have been collected for thousands of years. Although most blueberry cultivars are in the northeast, the Rabbiteye blueberries have been very successful in the southeast in the last 50 years. The rabbiteye gets its name from the calyx on the berry that resembles the eye of a rabbit.

Pilgrims learned from the Wampanoag Indians how to gather and use blueberries. They learned to dry them in the Summer sun to preserve them for use enjoyment in the winter. Blueberries were added to meats or used in soups and stews. The berries along with meat was dried and made into a jerky called Sautauthig. Dried berries would be ground into a powder and rubbed on meat to give it a wonderful fruity flavor or used for medicinal purposes along with the roots and leaves. Canning allowed them to make beverages from these wonderful berries that was a staple for the Civil War soldiers. The juice was used to treat coughs and made an excellent dye for cloth and for baskets.

Characteristics

Rabbiteye Blueberries thrive in Southeastern United States in growing zones 6-9. The berries are sweet and juicy when fully ripened and easy to harvest. Although grown mostly for its fruit, blueberries can also be ornamental. The leaves turn bright orange to red in the fall. The berries form on the top and on shoots from the year before. The fruit starts out a light greenish color, changing to a reddish purple color before turning dark blue when ripe. The fruit ripens late May through July depending on latitude, soil and weather conditions.

Suckers develop from the crown area to form a mature bush in 10 years that can be 10’-12’ tall and about the same in width. The plants prefer full sun, acidic soil and well-drained soil to thrive. When temperatures are high plants need frequent watering, but do not like to sit in wet soil. The roots are shallow so 2-4” of mulch is imperative. This will help keep the surface roots from drying out, reduce competition from weeds and provide necessary acidity to the soil.

In April begin fertilizing with Rose and Camellia fertilizer. Apply frequently, but in small amounts. Nitrate fertilizers can kill these plants. The second year you can apply 1 oz. of ammonium sulfate per plant, increasing 1 oz. per year of growth to ½ lb. maximum. Water them daily throughout the fruiting season.

Uses

The most common use for these shrubs is the berries. You may expect a yield of 2-5 lbs of berries per bushes once it is well established. These berries can be eaten fresh, canned, juiced, or frozen (don’t rinse until defrosting).

However, if you want a hedge, you can also think of blueberries! These shrubs require almost no maintenance and are very hardy. In the spring they have small bell-shaped white flowers. Once the fruit comes on there is the powder-blue hue from the berries. In Fall the leaves turn from orange to scarlet to fiery red. During the winter the canes have a reddish hue to them.

These blueberry bushes can form a thick hedge from 6’ to 12’ high. They can also be shaped into a tree form or grown in patio containers. Use these shrubs as a backdrop to your garden, line a driveway, or wherever you’d like to have an attractive separation of areas and fruit, too!