Rabbiteye Blueberry (Vaccinium ashei)
Exposure: Full sun to part shade. Zone 7b.
Soil: Acidic, moist, well-drained soil with high organic content. Always mulch plants well and maintain even moisture for best growth and production. More tolerant of clay soils than the Northern varieties.
Growth habits: Rabbiteye blueberries are native to the Southeastern US and are taller, more drought and heat tolerant than lowbush and highbush blueberries.
Landscape uses: Rabbiteye blueberry bushes range
in height from 8 to 15 feet at maturity, are deciduous, with foliage
that turns from greenish-grey to yellow or red in autumn. Blueberries
do well in berry orchards, edible hedges, foundation plantings,
and even as landscape specimens with their multiple seasons of interest
and good winter form. Plant two or more varieties for cross pollination
and berry season extension.
Edible/Medicinal properties: Mature bush can produce 8 to 22 pounds of fruit each year, depending on variety. Antioxidant levels of rabbiteye blueberries compare well with those of high and lowbush types.
Blueberry reference page (pdf)
$18.00/1 gal, $24.00/2 gal, $30.00/3 gal, $39.00/5 gal
Available Varieties
'Ira' - Early-mid season. Medium-sized tasty fruit. Upright growth. Self-fertile.
'Onslow' - Mid-late season. Large, dark, good-flavored fruit. Self-fertile.
'Powderblue' - Late ripening. Highly productive with dark, sweet fruit. 8-12 feet.
'Premier' - Early-mid season. Large, excellent flavored fruit. 6-10 feet.
'Tifblue' - Early-mid season. Large, tasty fruit. Vigorous upright growth. 8-14 feet.