Blueberry – Sharpe Blue

Plant family: Ericaceae

Plant origin: Eastern North America

Fruit description: Sharpe Blue. Early season. Popular. Southern USA Highbush Variety. Self-Pollinating. The fruit is a dark blue to black, berry of 5 -15 mm diameter, with a flared crown at the end. You can expect fruit when the plant is 1 year old.

Flowers: The flowers are white, bell-shaped, 10 mm long.

Growing conditions: The blueberry is a fast growing, deciduous shrub, growing to 1.5m tall. The dark glossy green leaves are elliptical, up to 5 cm long. In winter, the leaves change to a brilliant red. This plant grows best in areas with moist acidic soils. Allow about 1.5 metres between plants.

Uses: Eat fresh or in fruit salad. Use in juice, puree, jams, jellies, muffins, pies, ice-cream, wine. The fruit is decorative, is easy to eat as it doesn't go soft and leak juice. The fruit freezes very well as it remains intact upon thawing.

Medicinal uses: Blueberries have a diverse range of micronutrients, with high levels of the essential dietary mineral manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K and dietary fibre. Medical research has found that blueberry consumption helps to reduce inflammation, and lowers blood pressure. Blueberries may enhance memory and learning ability. Leaves may have antiviral properties.

Pollination requirements: Self-Pollinating.

Harvest time Spring, Summer and Autumn.

Plant relatives

Special features:

Grown by method: Cutting Grown Pot size: 100mm

Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 1.5 metres high by 1 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 1.5 metres high by 1 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.

Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 100mm