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Fruit & Orchards

Blueberries-Identifying blueberry bushes?

13 years ago

hey everyone,

i decided i wanted to purchase blueberry bushes after reading a bunch of reviews, so in early april i bought patriot, bluecrop, and duke(a few of each). i originally bought them just for fun and to have an easy to grow healthy snack during the summer. now i am addicted to growing bb's and i would like to propagate the ones i like best but i forgot to label the different varieties after i potted them up. now i cant tell the difference! if anyone can somehow help me find out which ones might be which that would be awesome. if i can figure out how to post pictures, i will to make it easier.

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Comments (2)

oregonwoodsmoke
13 years ago
Well.... Duke is supposed to have huge berries.

Why do you need to know which is which? Propagate them and label the new plants "the ones I like best".

Unless you want to sell plants, it doesn't matter much what their names are.
djofnelson
13 years ago
Duke and patriot are both earlier varieties that fruit before bluecrop. I also think Patriot tastes better than Duke. If you're going to plant more, I'd recommend also planting some different varieties in addition to the above 3, which are standard, dependable commercial varieties, but aren't necessarily bred for the best flavor (although, unlike some fruits, the commercial varieties still taste good). Legacy is a productive, disease resistant, and very tasty, as is Brigitta. I'd also add a fast growing rabbiteye to the mix (Premier or Yadkin?), a southern highbush (Southmoon is supposed to be one of the best tasting) and one of the season extending varieties such as Elliot or Aurora.

Attached is a useful chart with more useful flavor ratings than most (I don't know anything about the nursery). See also the longer list at http://www.fallcreeknursery.com/Commercial/VarietyChart.htm

See: http://www.danfinch.com/zone.htm for rabbiteyes (a nursery I do have experience with and recommend). Hartmann's also has a huge selection of blueberries and Edible Landscaping sells potted blueberries year round (both recommended sources).

Here is a link that might be useful: varieties
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