Blueberry varieties: the 35 best for the garden

The varieties of bilberry (also known as blueberry) are more diverse than you might think. We introduce you to the most aromatic and high-yielding varieties.

blueberries (Vaccinium) - or better known to some as blueberries - could only be collected with great effort in the forest for a long time. Since the cultivation of larger-fruity blueberries, however, the delicious fruits can also be grown in your own garden. While the much more aromatic berries from the forest are still often collected, the crunchier cultivated blueberries expand the range of local summer fruits.

Blueberry / Blueberry Varieties: Origin and History

The cultivation of cultivated blueberries started at the beginning of the 20th Century in North America, where the indigenous population was already collecting wild blueberries. For this reason, many cultivars come from the USA as well as from Australia and New Zealand and are therefore not conditionally adapted to the Central European climate. But also in this country the cultivated blueberries are attracting more and more attention among plant breeders due to the increasing interest and the growing market. Since breeding and licensing a variety are lengthy processes, it will certainly take a few more years It takes time for a good selection of European varieties that have been adapted to local conditions to be available in stores established.

By the way, all cultivated blueberries (Vaccinum corybosum) of North American origin and do not come from the forest blueberries native to Europe (Vaccinium myrtillus) away. In addition to their size and aroma, European forest blueberries and cultivated blueberries also differ in the color of the pulp. While the former, with their dark flesh, like to dye their mouths, teeth or hands, the flesh of cultivated blueberries is light.

The best blueberry / blueberry varieties

The following list begins with the early varieties that ripen at the end of June and ends with the late ones that ripen in August and September.

'Earliblue': Very early-ripening variety with medium-sized berries that ripen at the end of June; later ripening fruits are rather small; medium strong, upright growth; firm, tasty fruits

'Poppins': After their crisp bite "To pop" = "pop") named variety; juicy, sweet-aromatic fruits; long ripening period; relatively robust

'Weymouth': High-yield variety with medium-sized, very firm, good-tasting berries

'Bluetta': Compact, slow-growing plant with rather small but tasty fruits; moderately productive

'Chippewa': This variety has proven itself in regions with harsher winters; medium-sized, aromatic and very sweet fruits when fully ripe

'Ivanhoe': Medium-sized, medium-firm, very dark blue berries; good taste

'Reka': Very high-yielding variety from New Zealand that ripens at the beginning of July; large, very firm berries with a slightly sour, good taste

'Duke': Very frost-hardy variety with dense growth; large, firm fruits with a very good, aromatic taste; very richly bearing

'Nui': High-yield, New Zealand variety with very large, firm berries; Not bad in terms of taste, but not outstanding either

'Spartan': Early ripening variety with very large, exceptionally good fruits; Berries, however, are only moderately firm and therefore do not last that long; somewhat prone to disease

'Ama': Vigorous, robust variety with light pink flowers; firm, sweet-sour fruits; richly bearing

,Patriot': Medium early (from mid-July) ripening variety with very large, firm berries; The good-tasting fruits are often reddish at the steep end

'Puru': Robust, medium-yielding variety with large, firm berries; good, sweet taste

'Top Hat': Only up to 50 cm high growing variety, which is ideal for plant troughs on the balcony; dark, sweet-sour fruits

'Bluecrop': Despite the inconsistent ripening it is a very common variety in commercial cultivation worldwide; relatively bright fruits; high yields of very large, medium-firm fruits with a good taste; strong growth of new shoots from the rhizome and broad growth

'Blueray': Related to 'Bluecrop'; the slightly sour fruits are, however, inferior to Bluecrop in terms of aroma; large fruits; For optimal fertilization, this variety needs another variety in the area

'Denise Blue': Australian variety with large, firm, very tasty and aromatic fruits; moderately productive, but growing nicely - therefore good for gardens that should also be optically "beautiful"

'Draper': In commercial crops, it is increasingly replacing 'Bluecrop' due to its extremely good durability and uniform ripening; medium-sized to large, firm fruits with a good taste

'Toro': Also medium-early ripening, high-yielding variety; very large, firm fruits with a mediocre taste

'Berkeley': Medium to late ripening (late July to early August); large fruits, the taste of which leaves a little to be desired; sometimes very soft berries; however, this variety grows very nicely - hence high ornamental value

'Hardyblue': Belongs to the varieties that are well fertilized without another variety and bear abundantly; medium-sized, sweet-sour fruits; beautiful white-pink flowers; growing relatively high; robust

'Nelson': Absolutely mediocre variety; The firmness and taste of the fruits are medium; likewise the yield; big berries

'Coville': Moderately productive; large, firm fruits; Berries taste good, slightly tart, but not particularly aromatic

'Chandler': This variety is known for its large berries and has a very long harvest time; sweet and sour taste; Its growth is not rather bushy, as is the case with most varieties, but rather more upright

'Ozarkblue': This very richly bearing variety is characterized by its good heat tolerance; very tasty, large and crunchy fruits

'Legacy': Medium-sized, firm, very tasty fruits; moderately productive; resistant to gray mold and anthracnose fruit rot

'Gold grape': Vigorous variety with very large fruits; Taste aromatic and slightly acidic; Fertilization is improved by having another variety in the area; robust and resistant to drought

,Jersey': Large fruited variety; strong bushy growing; dark blue, medium firm fruits; aromatic, sweet taste; good cold and frost resistance

'Blueroma': A - as the name suggests - very aromatic variety; very large fruits at the beginning of the harvest, later somewhat smaller; sufficient

'Darrow': Late ripening (from around mid-August) variety with very large, firm fruits; extremely good, slightly sour taste; tall

'Liberty': Medium-sized, very firm, extremely tasty fruits; easy to store, therefore popular in commercial fruit growing; to ensure rich pollination, another late-ripening variety should be planted next to it

'Elizabeth' (also 'Elisabeth'): Moderately high-yielding variety with very large, very firm fruits; Taste moderately good; rather not suitable for cooler locations

'Lateblue': Also very late variety with medium-sized fruits; not very impressive in terms of taste

'Elliot': Medium-yielding variety with medium-sized, very firm fruits; Taste is good

'Aurora': Relatively short maturation period; firm, tasty, sweet-sour fruits; medium to large berries; very hardy

tip: The supply of nutrients is an important prerequisite for a rich blueberry harvest. Our Plantura organic universal fertilizer is a primarily organic organic fertilizer and is ideal for fertilizing your blueberries.

Forest blueberries: The wild blueberries

The wild blueberries are usually much smaller than the cultivated blueberries that are usually planted in the garden. Nevertheless, they usually taste very intense. In well-stocked tree nurseries you can also buy the wild blueberry native to Europe. However, certain varieties that have been purposefully bred are usually not to be found. Forest blueberries are instead simply used by their botanical name Vaccinium myrtillus acted.

Three tips for growing and choosing the right blueberry / blueberry variety

Finally, we have three tips for you so that you can buy and grow your blueberries successfully.

1. Blueberries belong on acidic soils
   Note that blueberries like acidic soil. They have got used to this in the course of their existence in the / forest. More tips on right soil for blueberries You will find here.
   

   

2. Plant different blueberry / blueberry varieties together
   We also recommend choosing different varieties when planting multiple blueberry bushes. With most blueberry varieties, this promotes fertilization and thus the yield. For a longer harvest period there is a tendency to combine early and late ripening varieties. However, the plants must bloom at the same time if they are to help each other with fertilization. So before buying multiple strains, check to see if flowering is happening at the same time.
3. Protect blueberries / blueberries until harvest
   When the first fruits finally begin to ripen, you should bear in mind that you may have to defend them from birds.

More detailed information about the Cultivation of blueberries You will find here.