Update two weeks later to say, the Chandler is still not showing any signs of leafing, doesn't look entirely dead or anything, and I am very tempted to start pruning it to check the stem cambium, see what's up. The tiny cuttings/twigs which I'd originally snipped off it to check the stems, remain looking viable in their peat/perlite mix (indoors, I might add - I didn't try them outside, they're on the dining room table "nursery" along with my fig cuttings, and one of the Chandler clippings has nice healthy leaves, maybe it actually will root itself). Another Burnt Ridge Nursery blueberry I ordered this spring (Duke, came bare-root) has failed to leaf out, though the stem is bright green still (about 30" tall), and I'm holding hope for it also, even though it's been nearly a month since being potted up. Anyone know what might be additionally helpful other than more time to see what's going on with these sluggish plants? (warmer spot, more sun, less sun, adding something to soil, leaving soil alone, etc.) And, Don, congrats on all those rooted cuttings, that's a definite encouragement to would-be propagators to give it a try (can't hurt to see whether they'll take or not). Sherry

Thanks all. Looking back at my notes, I think the bush is a Chandler. A bit tangy/tart and different than the others and store bought. It was bare root when I planted it four years ago but has caught up to the potted ones I got at local nurseries. As luck would have it, I planted 5 more (among 25 I planted this spring) and just forgot about the exact varieties. It's good to keep notes! I have a Reka and Elliot to try in a few years. No Darrow yet. I have a Herbert that has never thrived and looks like I killed it this year with the dry weather.

Blueberries are a great addition. I'm in Atlanta and have a combination of rabbiteye and southern highbush, and being in the city I'm tight on space, so I appreciate the desire to make double work for the space. I agree with what was said - blueberry roots are a fibrous mass just below the surface; and the most important work is keeping that covered with a few inches of mulch. The one suggestion which works for me is I let my watermelons run along the ground under the blueberries while the watermelon is planted in the garden about 6 ft away or planted between the bushes which are spaced 8 ft apart. I think it's keeping the soil cooler without competing. Less of a suggestion, more of an observation, I have a persimmon tree at one end of the blueberry row, about 5 ft off the row, and the two bushes that catch some high shade from that tree do better. Robert

Conifers would look natural. Bluish ones would contrast well with the blueberry fall color.