{"title":"Blueberry Plants","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlueberries are compact fruiting shrubs that earn their place twice, with white bell flowers in spring and heavy crops of berries through summer. Most of Australia can grow them if two things are right: acid soil and steady moisture. Choose a low chill southern highbush variety for warm and coastal areas, or a rabbiteye for a taller, tougher bush, and plant two different varieties for bigger crops. They also grow very well in pots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to choose blueberry plants\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlueberries fall into groups by how much winter cold they need to set fruit. Southern highbush varieties need little chill, crop early and suit warm temperate and subtropical gardens. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blueberry-sunshine-blue-vaccinium-corymbosum-sunshine-blue\"\u003eBlueberry Sunshine Blue\u003c\/a\u003e is the compact one, about 1m tall, self fertile and well suited to pots. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blueberry-misty-vaccinium-corymbosum-hybrid\"\u003eBlueberry Misty\u003c\/a\u003e is a taller, upright bush with blue green leaves and early fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRabbiteye varieties are bigger and hardier, reaching 2m or more, and cope with heat and less than perfect soil. They fruit later, which extends the season, and they need a second rabbiteye variety nearby for pollination. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brightwell-blueberry-vaccinium-virgatum-brightwell\"\u003eBrightwell Blueberry\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/powder-blue-blueberry-vaccinium-virgatum-powder-blue\"\u003ePowder Blue Blueberry\u003c\/a\u003e make a good pair. For foliage colour as well as fruit, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pink-icing-blueberry-vaccinium-corymbosum-pink-icing\"\u003ePink Icing Blueberry\u003c\/a\u003e has pink new growth on a small bush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere blueberries grow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlueberries crop in full sun in cool and temperate areas, and with morning sun and afternoon shade where summers are hot. Low chill varieties fruit from the subtropics south; in the tropics crops are unreliable. The soil must be acid, with a pH of about 4.5 to 5.5, moist and well drained. In alkaline or heavy clay soil, grow them in pots or raised beds filled with an azalea and camellia mix. A row of bushes also makes a productive low hedge. For more fruiting plants see our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fruit-trees\"\u003efruit trees\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/edible-plants\"\u003eedible plants\u003c\/a\u003e, and for container ideas the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and spacing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSpace southern highbush varieties about 1m apart and rabbiteyes 1.5m apart. Blueberries have fine, shallow roots, so plant no deeper than the plant sat in its pot, in soil improved with composted pine bark or peat rather than lime, mushroom compost or fresh manure. Water in and mulch 5cm to 10cm deep with pine bark or pine needles. For pots, start with a container at least 40cm wide and move up as the bush grows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare basics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the soil evenly moist, especially from flowering to harvest; the shallow roots dry out fast and a dry spell shrinks the fruit. Rainwater is better than hard tap water. Feed in early spring and again after harvest with a fertiliser for acid loving plants. Remove the flowers in the first year so the bush builds a frame. From the third winter, cut out a few of the oldest canes at the base each year to keep new wood coming. Net the bushes as the fruit colours, or birds will take the crop. Pale leaves with green veins mean the soil is not acid enough. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/blueberry-care-guide\"\u003eblueberry care guide\u003c\/a\u003e covers soil preparation and pruning in more detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need two blueberry plants?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRabbiteye varieties need a second rabbiteye variety to set fruit. Most southern highbush varieties fruit alone, but crop more heavily with a different variety close by.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan blueberries grow in pots?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and in many gardens pots are the easier way, because the acid mix is simple to control. Use an azalea and camellia mix and water often in summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long until a blueberry bush fruits?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect a light crop in the second year and full crops from about the fourth, increasing as the bush matures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are my blueberry leaves turning yellow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsually the soil or water is too alkaline, which locks up iron. Lower the pH with sulphur or repot into an acid mix.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"gulf-coast-blueberry-vaccinium-gulf-coast","title":"Gulf Coast Blueberry - Vaccinium 'Gulf Coast'","description":"\u003cp\u003eGulf Coast Blueberry (\u003cem\u003eVaccinium corymbosum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Gulf Coast') is a low chill southern highbush variety, which is the practical way of saying it fruits in Australian gardens that never get properly cold. It makes a tidy shrub around 1.5m tall and 1.2m wide, with white and pink bell flowers in late winter and sweet berries through late spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt fruits without a cold winter.\u003c\/strong\u003e Most blueberries need a long chilling period. This one was bred for warm climates, so subtropical and warm temperate gardens crop well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA hedge that feeds you.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 1.5m by 1.2m it is the size of an informal edible hedge, dense enough to define a boundary.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree seasons of interest.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pink and white bells in late winter, berries into early summer, then warm red autumn foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt for containers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Blueberries want acidic soil, and a pot is the easiest way to guarantee it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSafe and full of life.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not toxic to cats or dogs. The flowers bring in bees and the fruit brings in birds, so plan on netting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdible hedging.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1m apart for a productive informal hedge. The bushes knit into a row within two to three seasons while each plant keeps the light it needs to set fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots, balconies and courtyards.\u003c\/strong\u003e A pot 400mm or wider filled with an azalea and camellia mix is the most reliable way to grow blueberries in Australia, since it lets you control the acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmall gardens and feature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single bush in a sunny corner gives flowers, fruit and autumn colour from a square metre of soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Gulf Coast Blueberry in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for the heaviest crop, with a little afternoon shade acceptable inland. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens and is frost hardy and humidity tolerant, so it handles a Brisbane summer and a Melbourne winter equally well. In the wet tropics the chill requirement is not met.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the make or break point. Blueberries need acidic, free draining soil rich in organic matter, ideally pH 4.5 to 5.5. In neutral or alkaline ground use a pot rather than fighting the soil. Mulch 75mm deep with pine bark, since the roots are shallow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Consistent moisture matters more than volume. Water deeply two or three times a week through flowering and fruiting. Feed an acid loving fertiliser in early spring, and avoid lime, dolomite and high phosphorus products.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Leave it alone for the first two years beyond weak twiggy growth. From year three, prune in winter once the leaves are off, taking out the oldest canes and replacing about a fifth each year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis variety is grown in 140mm pots, sold in packs of ten. Each plant is a young bush, 20cm to 40cm tall with several stems, and a pack of ten runs about 10m of edible hedge at the recommended 1m spacing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is deciduous, so plants ordered between late autumn and early spring arrive as bare or sparsely leaved stems. That is normal. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/edible-plants\"\u003eBrowse the full edible plant range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/fruit-trees-for-every-season-planting-tips-and-tricks\"\u003ePlanting tips for a productive fruit garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fruit-trees\"\u003eCompare fruit trees for the home garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/choosing-the-right-size-pot-for-your-plant-the-complete-guide\"\u003eChoosing the right pot size for potted fruit\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need a second plant for pollination?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot strictly. 'Gulf Coast' is self fertile and will crop alone. A second low chill southern highbush variety within a few metres improves berry size and yield.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in ordinary garden soil?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly if that soil is genuinely acidic and free draining. In neutral or alkaline ground the plant yellows between the veins and declines, so a large pot is more reliable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen will I get fruit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA light crop in the second year and a worthwhile one from the third. Net the bushes as the berries begin to colour, because birds find them before you do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10) (Backorder)","offer_id":44945411768639,"sku":"VAC-SPP-GULCOA-140MM-P10","price":429.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Gulf-Coast-Blueberry-Vaccinium-Gulf-Coast.jpg?v=1741858468"},{"product_id":"vitality-blueberry-vaccinium-vitality","title":"Vitality Blueberry - Vaccinium 'Vitality'","description":"\u003cp\u003eVitality Blueberry (\u003cem\u003eVaccinium\u003c\/em\u003e 'Vitality') is a low chill selection, which is the detail that matters: it fruits in subtropical and warm temperate gardens where traditional blueberries will not crop. It makes a tidy deciduous shrub of about 1.5m tall and 1.2m wide, with white bell flowers in spring and berries through the warm months. In a pot on a sunny balcony it is one of the most productive edible plants for a small space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt fruits in warm climates.\u003c\/strong\u003e Low chill breeding means it crops without the long cold winter older varieties demand, opening the plant up to subtropical gardeners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenuinely suited to pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e Blueberries need acidic soil, and a container is the easiest way to give them exactly that.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSafe around pets.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not toxic to cats or dogs, worth knowing for a plant grown at nose height on a patio.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers the bees work.\u003c\/strong\u003e The white bell shaped blooms are a genuine early nectar source, and better pollination means a heavier crop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCopes with damper ground.\u003c\/strong\u003e More tolerant of wet feet than most fruiting shrubs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and balconies.\u003c\/strong\u003e The best option for most gardeners. A pot 400mm or wider filled with acidic or ericaceous mix sidesteps the soil problem entirely, and the shrub is compact and productive enough to earn a spot on a small balcony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorders and small gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e For a low edible border, plant about 1m apart. At roughly 1.2m wide the bushes meet into a productive run while staying open enough to pick from both sides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing the Vitality blueberry in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for the heaviest crop, with a little afternoon shade acceptable in the hottest inland gardens. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean climates, and it is both frost hardy and heat tolerant. Being deciduous, it rests over winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e The one thing blueberries are fussy about. They need acidic soil, ideally pH 4.5 to 5.5, and they yellow and stall in neutral or alkaline ground. Work compost and an acidifying amendment through the bed, or use ericaceous mix in a pot. Mulch with pine bark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the soil consistently moist while berries are swelling, because the root system is shallow and dries out fast in a pot. Use rainwater where you can, since hard tap water pushes the pH up. Feed with a fertiliser for acid loving plants in early spring and after harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Very little in the first two years beyond removing weak or crossing stems. From year three, take out the oldest wood at the base each winter to keep young canes coming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is supplied as a 140mm pack of ten, which suits a row, a shared order between neighbours, or anyone planting a berry patch. They are young established plants rather than advanced bushes, and being deciduous a winter delivery may arrive as bare stems with dormant buds, which is normal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect a light crop in the first season and a real one from year two. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-lower-soil-ph-a-guide-for-healthier-gardens-and-lawns\"\u003eHow to lower soil pH for acid loving plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/edible-plants\"\u003eBrowse the edible plant range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eFind more plants that thrive in containers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-safe-for-pets\"\u003eSee other plants that are safe around pets\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need more than one plant to get fruit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA single bush will crop, but blueberries fruit more heavily when several are planted near each other and the flowers are cross pollinated. The pack of ten makes that straightforward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in Brisbane or northern New South Wales?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and that is the point of a low chill selection. It sets fruit without the sustained winter cold older varieties need, so subtropical gardens are well within range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the leaves turning yellow between the veins?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlmost always soil pH. In neutral or alkaline soil a blueberry cannot take up iron, so the leaves yellow while the veins stay green. Acidify the soil or move it into ericaceous mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10) (Backorder)","offer_id":44945424679231,"sku":"VAC-SPP-VIT-140MM-P10","price":429.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Vitality-Blueberry-Vaccinium-Vitality.png?v=1794661853"},{"product_id":"blueberry-misty-vaccinium-corymbosum-hybrid","title":"Blueberry ‘Misty’ - Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlueberry 'Misty' (\u003cem\u003eVaccinium corymbosum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Misty') is the blueberry for gardeners who do not get a cold winter. It is a low chill southern highbush, so it fruits early and reliably in mild climates where older northern varieties never crop. The bush stays around 1.5m tall and 1.2m wide, small enough to live permanently in a large pot on a balcony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit without a cold winter.\u003c\/strong\u003e Low chill breeding means it crops in subtropical and warm temperate gardens, not only in cold southern ones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAn early harvest.\u003c\/strong\u003e 'Misty' is one of the earlier southern highbush varieties, so the berries come in ahead of most.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePot sized.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 1.5m by 1.2m it fits a 400mm or larger pot, which also gives you full control of the acidic soil it needs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrnamental as well as productive.\u003c\/strong\u003e White and pink bell flowers in spring, blue green foliage, and bees work it hard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSafe around pets.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not toxic to cats or dogs, so a fruiting plant at nose height is no concern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and balconies.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the best use for most gardens. A 400mm pot of azalea or berry mix gives you total control of soil acidity, which is the single factor that decides whether a blueberry thrives. Repot with fresh mix every three years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmall gardens and borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e In the ground it makes a tidy shrub of about 1.5m. Give it a dedicated acidic bed rather than scattering plants through general garden soil. Two or three bushes give a household a steady picking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing blueberries in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun gives the heaviest crop, with afternoon shade welcome in hot inland gardens. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, is frost hardy, and handles heat better than most blueberries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is where blueberries are won or lost. It needs acidic soil, around pH 4.5 to 5.5, free draining but able to hold moisture. Use a mix made for azaleas, camellias or berries, or acidify a garden bed with elemental sulphur well ahead of planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Blueberry roots are fine, shallow and unforgiving of drying out, so water consistently, especially while the fruit is sizing. Mulch with pine bark. Feed an azalea and camellia fertiliser in early spring and again after harvest, and never apply lime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Leave it alone for the first two years beyond removing dead wood. From the third year, cut out the oldest quarter of the canes each winter so young productive wood keeps coming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Misty' is sold here as tube stock, a young plant of roughly 15 to 25cm carrying a few stems. Blueberries establish well from tubes, but be realistic: expect a token handful of berries in the second year and a proper crop from the third. Strip the first season's flowers so the plant puts everything into roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePot it up on arrival into an acidic mix rather than unimproved garden soil. Tubes travel well, with little top growth to damage. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-lower-soil-ph-a-guide-for-healthier-gardens-and-lawns\"\u003eHow to lower soil pH for acid loving plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fruit-trees\"\u003eBrowse the fruit tree and berry range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/edible-plants\"\u003eMore edible plants for the home garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ePlants that live happily in containers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need a second blueberry to get fruit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Misty' sets fruit on its own, but a second low chill southern highbush nearby lifts both yield and berry size. With room for one plant you will still get a crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the leaves yellow with green veins?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is iron chlorosis, and in blueberries it nearly always means the soil pH has drifted too high. Correct the pH with an acidifying fertiliser or repot into a proper acidic mix rather than reaching for more general fertiliser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much winter cold does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery little. As a low chill southern highbush it needs roughly 200 to 300 chill hours, which most Australian gardens outside the wet tropics comfortably provide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":51640153702719,"sku":"VAC-COR-tube","price":20.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Blueberry-Misty-Vaccinium-corymbosum-hybrid.png?v=1794662258"},{"product_id":"blueberry-premier-vaccinium-ashei-premier","title":"Blueberry ‘Premier’ - Vaccinium ashei ‘Premier’","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlueberry 'Premier' (\u003cem\u003eVaccinium ashei\u003c\/em\u003e 'Premier') is the rabbiteye blueberry to start with if you want fruit rather than a novelty. It grows to about 2m tall and 1.5m wide, carries pink tinged white bells in spring and a heavy crop of large, sweet berries through early summer. Rabbiteye types handle the warmth and humidity that defeat highbush blueberries, which is why this one crops from the subtropics down to cool temperate gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt fruits in warm gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rabbiteye blueberries need far less winter chilling than highbush types, so a Brisbane or Perth garden can crop as well as a southern one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge, sweet berries.\u003c\/strong\u003e 'Premier' is among the better flavoured rabbiteyes and a reliable heavy cropper by three or four years old.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAn edible hedge.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 2m by 1.5m, planted 1.2m apart, it makes a productive informal hedge rather than a lone bush in a corner.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet friendly and good for wildlife.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not toxic to cats or dogs. The spring flowers feed bees and butterflies, the fruit brings in birds, and the leaves turn red and bronze before dropping in autumn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and balconies.\u003c\/strong\u003e A 400mm pot or larger with an acidic mix suits it well, and a container makes it easy to control soil pH, the one thing blueberries are genuinely fussy about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdible hedging.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.2m apart in a row for a hedge that screens to about 2m and picks by the bucket. Keep it informal, because hard shearing removes the fruiting wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmall gardens and feature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e One bush beside a path earns its place: flowers, fruit, autumn colour and a fine winter outline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Blueberry 'Premier' in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for the heaviest crop, with light afternoon shade in the hottest inland districts. It is frost hardy, so cool temperate gardens are no problem, and it fruits happily through subtropical humidity. Only the wet tropics fail to chill it enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Acidic, between pH 4.5 and 5.5, free draining and high in organic matter. This matters more than anything else you do. On neutral or alkaline soil, grow it in a pot of azalea and camellia mix rather than fighting the garden bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Blueberries are shallow rooted and dry out fast. Keep the soil evenly moist through spring and summer, mulch 75mm deep with pine bark, and feed an azalea and camellia fertiliser in early spring and after harvest. Never apply lime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Do almost nothing for three years. After that, remove the oldest quarter of the canes each winter so young productive wood keeps coming through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis variety is sold as tube stock: a young rooted plant, usually 15 to 25cm tall, and the economical way to plant a row. Expect a light first crop in the second or third year and a serious one from year four.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTubes travel well because they are light and compact. Pot them into a 200mm pot of acidic mix for a season before planting out, or plant straight into a prepared bed. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-lower-soil-ph-a-guide-for-healthier-gardens-and-lawns\"\u003eHow to lower soil pH for acid loving plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/edible-plants\"\u003eBrowse the edible plant range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fruit-trees\"\u003eFruit trees for the home garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ePlants that crop well in containers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need a second blueberry for pollination?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Premier' sets some fruit alone, but rabbiteye blueberries cross pollinate poorly with themselves. Plant a second rabbiteye variety within a few metres and both bushes will carry noticeably heavier crops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I stop birds taking the fruit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNet the bush once the berries begin to colour, using a fine white netting that birds cannot become tangled in. Without netting you will share most of the crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I keep it in a pot permanently?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and many growers get better results that way because the pH stays under control. Use a 400mm or larger pot of azalea and camellia mix, and root prune every three years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":51640156750143,"sku":"VAC-ASH-PRE-tube","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Blueberry-Premier-Vaccinium-ashei-Premier.png?v=1794662259"},{"product_id":"blueberry-sunshine-blue-vaccinium-corymbosum-sunshine-blue","title":"Blueberry ‘Sunshine Blue’ - Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Sunshine Blue’","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlueberry 'Sunshine Blue' (\u003cem\u003eVaccinium corymbosum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Sunshine Blue') is the blueberry to plant if you live somewhere warm and have been told blueberries need a cold winter. It is a low chill southern highbush that fruits reliably in subtropical and warm temperate gardens, stays compact at about 1.2m tall and 90cm wide, and is self fertile, so one plant on a balcony will still crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt fruits in warm gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Low chill breeding means it sets fruit where traditional highbush varieties simply refuse to.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne plant is enough.\u003c\/strong\u003e Self fertile, so there is no need to buy a pollinating partner to get a crop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact and pot sized.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 1.2m by 90cm it suits a large pot, a courtyard or the front of a border rather than needing an orchard row.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood looking out of season.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pink spring flowers, blue green semi evergreen foliage, and a neat rounded habit for an ornamental bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet friendly.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not toxic to cats or dogs, and the flowers bring in bees and butterflies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots, balconies and courtyards.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is its best use. A 400mm to 500mm pot of acidic mix gives full control over soil pH, the hardest part of growing blueberries in Australian garden beds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmall gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e A productive fruiting shrub under 1.5m fits where a citrus or stone fruit tree never would, and it needs no partner beside it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorders and edging.\u003c\/strong\u003e Grouped at about 80cm apart it makes a low informal edge, pink in spring and fruiting through summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing blueberries in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for the heaviest crop, with light afternoon shade in hot inland gardens. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean zones, and is both frost hardy and heat tolerant, a wide range for a fruiting shrub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Acidic, pH 4.5 to 5.5, and rich in organic matter. This is not negotiable, and it is why so many blueberries fail in ordinary garden soil. Use an azalea and camellia mix in pots, or work peat, composted pine bark and sulphur through a bed well before planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e The roots are fine and shallow, so keep moisture even and never let a potted plant dry right out. It handles damp ground better than most fruiting shrubs, though it still wants drainage. Feed with an acidic fertiliser in early spring and again after harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Very little for two years. From year three, cut out the oldest quarter of the canes each winter to keep young wood coming, since that is where the best fruit forms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is currently grown in one size, tube stock, and is supplied on backorder against the next crop. Tube blueberries are young plants, usually 15cm to 25cm tall with a few branches. Pot them straight into a 250mm container of acidic mix for their first year rather than putting them out into the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect a light crop in the second summer and a real one from the third. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-lower-soil-ph-a-guide-for-healthier-gardens-and-lawns\"\u003eHow to lower soil pH for acid loving plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/edible-plants\"\u003eBrowse the full edible plant range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/growing-a-successful-fruit-and-vegetable-garden\"\u003ePlanning a productive fruit and vegetable garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eMore plants that suit pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need a second blueberry for pollination?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Sunshine Blue is self fertile, so a single plant sets fruit. A second low chill variety nearby usually lifts the yield and stretches the picking season, but it is optional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it fruit in a warm climate?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and that is the point of this variety. It needs far fewer cold hours than a traditional highbush blueberry, which makes it one of the few that crop properly in subtropical gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a pot permanently?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and most Australian gardeners should. A 400mm to 500mm pot of azalea and camellia mix keeps the soil acidic without fighting your garden's natural pH. Repot every three or four years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":51640159240511,"sku":"VAC-COR-SUN-tube","price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Blueberry-Sunshine-Blue-Vaccinium-corymbosum-Sunshine-Blue.png?v=1794662265"},{"product_id":"brightwell-blueberry-vaccinium-virgatum-brightwell","title":"Brightwell Blueberry - Vaccinium virgatum 'Brightwell'","description":"\u003cp\u003eBrightwell Blueberry (\u003cem\u003eVaccinium virgatum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Brightwell') is an upright rabbiteye blueberry that gives a long run of fruit through summer. It grows to about 2m to 3m tall and 2m wide in a dense, rounded shape, with pale pink bell flowers in spring and clusters of deep blue berries to follow. Rabbiteyes need less winter chill than highbush blueberries, which makes this a good pick for milder gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA long fruiting season.\u003c\/strong\u003e Brightwell ripens its berries over many weeks, so you pick handfuls through summer rather than facing one big flush.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNeeds less winter chill.\u003c\/strong\u003e As a rabbiteye it asks for fewer cold hours than highbush blueberries, which is why it suits milder climates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePretty across the year.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pale pink bell flowers in spring, deep blue fruit in summer and good autumn colour. In cool climates the plant is deciduous.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeature shrub or informal hedge.\u003c\/strong\u003e The dense rounded habit looks tidy as a specimen, and a row of plants makes a loose fruiting hedge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruits while young.\u003c\/strong\u003e Blueberries crop from an early age, which makes them a rewarding plant to grow with children.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAs a feature shrub.\u003c\/strong\u003e Give it a sunny corner of the veggie patch or lawn edge and pick straight from the bush. Allow about 2m of clear space around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInformal fruiting hedge.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.5m apart in a single row for a soft hedge of around 2m that gives berries as well as privacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA pollination pair.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rabbiteye blueberries fruit best planted beside other varieties. Plant Brightwell with the later fruiting Powder Blue or Premier for the heaviest crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Brightwell Blueberry in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade. Rabbiteyes are frost hardy and fruit well in heat and humidity, so Brightwell works across subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens. In cool climates it drops its leaves in winter after a good show of autumn colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining, acid soil (around pH 4.5 to 5.5) with composted manure dug in before planting. Where the soil is alkaline, grow it in a large pot of acidic mix instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Lay a thick layer of mulch after planting to keep the shallow roots cool and moist, and water regularly through spring and summer while the berries swell. A light feed with an acid loving plant fertiliser in spring is plenty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune in mid winter, taking out weak, crossing and the oldest stems so the bush keeps making strong new wood. If pests turn up, organic eco-oil deals with them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Brightwell Blueberry as tube stock: a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and is the economical way to start several bushes. Plant it into prepared acid soil or pot it on, and mulch straight away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur grower supplies the tubes, so supply comes and goes. If the tube shows as on backorder, the grower has none at the moment: press the notify button on the page and we will email you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/blueberry-care-guide\"\u003eBlueberry care guide for Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/edible-plants\"\u003eEdible plants and bush tucker\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fruit-trees\"\u003eFruit trees for the home garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-lower-soil-ph-a-guide-for-healthier-gardens-and-lawns\"\u003eHow to lower soil pH for acid loving plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need more than one blueberry plant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is best to. Blueberries fruit best planted alongside other varieties, rabbiteyes especially. Pair Brightwell with Powder Blue or Premier, which fruit later in the season, for the best crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMy soil is alkaline. Can I still grow it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, in a container. Fill a large pot with an acidic mix made for azaleas and keep it watered. In the ground it needs soil that is naturally acid or has been made so.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen do the berries ripen?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrightwell fruits through summer over a long season. Exact timing shifts with climate, earlier in warm gardens and later in cool ones.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790179959103,"sku":"VAC-VIR-BRIGHT-tube","price":18.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/brightwell-blueberry-vaccinium-virgatum-brightwell.jpg?v=1792195543"},{"product_id":"pink-icing-blueberry-vaccinium-corymbosum-pink-icing","title":"Pink Icing Blueberry - Vaccinium corymbosum 'Pink Icing'","description":"\u003cp\u003ePink Icing Blueberry (\u003cem\u003eVaccinium corymbosum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Pink Icing') is the blueberry made for pots. It forms a dense, rounded shrub of 90cm to 1.2m in both height and spread, and plants will usually fruit by their second year with large, dark, sweet berries. Its leaves change colour through the year, from pink-peach in spring to deep green in summer and teal green in winter, so it earns its place before the fruit even ripens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBred for pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e The compact habit tops out at around 1.2m, which suits patios, balconies and courtyards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge, sweet berries.\u003c\/strong\u003e Abundant, large, dark fruit with a good sweet flavour, ready from early summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour through the year.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pink-peach new growth in spring, deep green in summer, teal green in winter and good autumn colour, plus pale pink bell flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruits young.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plants will usually crop at two years old, so the wait for the first berries is short.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pink Icing is frost hardy and fruits in humidity and heat, as long as it gets its winter chill.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots, patios and balconies.\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow one plant per pot of 40cm or wider, filled with acidic potting mix, in a sunny spot. A pot lets you control the soil and keep it acidic, which is exactly what blueberries like.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmall garden beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1m apart in the ground as a compact feature shrub or in an edible border, where the changing foliage colour can be seen from the house.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInformal low hedge.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set plants 90cm apart for a low fruiting hedge of around 1m, with berries in early summer and a tidy rounded shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Pink Icing Blueberry in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun, out of strong wind. It needs 450 to 500 chill hours below 5C, about 18 to 21 days in total, to set fruit, so it suits warm temperate and cool temperate gardens. In the warmest frost free gardens a low chill rabbiteye such as Brightwell or Powder Blue is the safer pick. In cool climates Pink Icing is deciduous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining, acid soil with composted manure dug through before planting. Where the garden soil is alkaline, grow it in a container of acidic potting mix instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch deeply after planting to keep the shallow roots cool and moist, and water regularly through spring and summer. A potted plant dries out fast, so check it daily in hot weather. Plant it alongside other blueberries for the best fruiting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune in mid winter, removing weak and crossing stems and keeping the centre open. Use organic eco-oil if unwanted pests appear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Pink Icing Blueberry as tube stock: a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and, once potted on, will usually fruit by its second year. Move it into a larger pot of acidic mix or plant it into prepared, well-drained soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tube is grown for us by our grower and is not always available. Should it read on backorder, use the notify button on this page and an email will reach you the day it is available again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/blueberry-care-guide\"\u003eBlueberry care guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ePlants for pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/edible-plants\"\u003eEdible plants for the home garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/plants-that-change-colour-throughout-the-year\"\u003ePlants that change colour through the year\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 90cm to 1.2m high and wide, so a pot of 40cm or larger suits it well. Move it to a bigger container if the roots fill the pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many chill hours does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePink Icing wants 450 to 500 hours below 5C, which adds up to about 18 to 21 days in total. Many warm temperate and cool temperate gardens meet that easily, while the warmest coastal gardens may not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it fruit with only one plant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt will crop better with company. Plant it alongside other blueberries to improve the harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790180254015,"sku":"VAC-COR-PINKIC-tube","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/pink-icing-blueberry-vaccinium-corymbosum-pink-icing.jpg?v=1792195553"},{"product_id":"powder-blue-blueberry-vaccinium-virgatum-powder-blue","title":"Powder Blue Blueberry - Vaccinium virgatum 'Powder Blue'","description":"\u003cp\u003ePowder Blue Blueberry (\u003cem\u003eVaccinium virgatum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Powder Blue') is the tough rabbiteye for gardeners who want a big, late summer crop. It grows to 2m to 3m tall and 2m wide, flowers in spring and carries clusters of powder blue berries that ripen in time for Christmas. Red autumn colour and a hardy nature make it one of the more forgiving blueberries you can plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBerries for Christmas.\u003c\/strong\u003e A later fruiting season than most, so it extends the picking window when planted with earlier varieties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough and adaptable.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rabbiteyes handle climate variation better than highbush blueberries and need fewer cold hours, which makes Powder Blue a good choice for milder regions and the warmer states.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed autumn colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e The foliage turns red in autumn, and in cool climates the plant is deciduous.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost hardy and heat tolerant.\u003c\/strong\u003e It takes frost and still fruits in heat and humidity, a useful combination for warmer states.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHedge or container.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows into a fruity hedge in acid soil, or a neat container plant where the garden soil is alkaline.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA fruiting hedge.\u003c\/strong\u003e In acid soil, plant 1.5m apart in a row for a dense hedge of 2m or more that you can pick from. Leave a path along one side so the berries are easy to reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainers for alkaline gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e If your soil is not acid, grow one plant per 50cm pot in acidic potting mix made for azaleas and keep it watered through summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA pair for a heavier crop.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rabbiteyes fruit best alongside other varieties. Plant Powder Blue with Brightwell or Premier for the best harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Powder Blue Blueberry in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade. Powder Blue is frost hardy and fruits in humidity and heat, so it works across subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate climates, and it is an especially good berry for warmer states.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining and acid. Dig well rotted composted manure through before planting. Without acid soil, grow it in a container instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch thickly after planting to protect the shallow roots. Keep the plant well watered through spring and summer, when the berries are filling, and do not let a potted plant dry out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune in mid winter to remove weak and crossing wood and open the bush to light. Treat unwanted garden pests with organic eco-oil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Powder Blue Blueberry as tube stock: a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and is a good way to start a whole hedge on a modest budget. Plant into prepared acid soil, or pot it up into acidic mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupply of Powder Blue Blueberry tubes depends on our grower, who does not always have stock. When the page shows the tube as on backorder, add your email with the notify button and we will tell you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/blueberry-care-guide\"\u003eHow to grow blueberries in Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/edible-plants\"\u003eEdible plants and bush tucker\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/autumn-colour-plants\"\u003ePlants with autumn colour\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hedging-screening\"\u003eHedging and screening plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen does Powder Blue fruit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a later variety, with berries ripening in time for Christmas. Planted with an earlier variety such as Brightwell, you stretch the picking season out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is a rabbiteye blueberry?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA group of blueberries that tolerate climate variation better than highbush types and need fewer cold hours to set fruit. That is why they are the usual choice for milder climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Use a pot of around 50cm filled with acidic potting mix, keep it moist and feed lightly in spring. It is the right approach wherever the garden soil is alkaline.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67790180581695,"sku":"VAC-VIR-POWDER-tube","price":18.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/powder-blue-blueberry-vaccinium-virgatum-powder-blue.jpg?v=1792195562"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/collections\/blueberries-collection.jpg?v=1794658977","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/collections\/blueberries.oembed","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}