Blueberries
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Landscaping
Blueberries are unmatched in their versatility, they can be used as stand-alone plant, either in a garden border or as part of a kitchen garden. Perfect as a hedge and ideal as a container plant. In addition to the yummy Blueberries they have ‘Lily of the valley’ like flowers and attractive autumn foliage.
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Culinary & Nutrition
High antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties enhance the longer the fruit is left on the plant. Blueberries are a good source of dietary fibre, with reasonable levels of vitamins C, A, E and several B. Studies have shown that Blueberries enable people to be 5-6% better at motor skills if consuming a cup of Blueberries daily.
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Growing Conditions
Blueberries prefer a sunny position while tolerating some afternoon shade. They are wind tolerant and cold hardy. Good soil quality is preferred. Heavy clay soils will need to be improved with lots of organic matter. A raised garden will help with drainage in heavy soils. Blueberries have a shallow fibrous root system and, as such, like a good layer of mulch.
Incredible Blueberry Varieties
Blueberry Pink Icing® Our latest and quite possibly our best!!
Pink Icing® is a new dwarf Blueberry with breath-taking colourful foliage and dainty clusters of white bell-shaped flowers with shell pink overtones (with a faint fragrance) hanging below the branches in mid-spring. The fruit is large, mildly sweet, deep navy-coloured and juicy textured blueberries.
In spring, the foliage has many shades of pink mixed with blue and deep greens. The leaves turn a stunning iridescent turquoise blue in winter. With a compact and round growth habit, plant this variety in a decorative pot or garden for year-round colour, beauty, and yummy blueberries in summer.
Pink Icing® will be ready for harvesting mid-summer. Although a dwarf variety in growing, it produces full-size berries. A 3-year-old plant can produce up to 1.8kg of fruit.
Pink Icing® is self-fertile, grows in full sun or part shade, and needs acidic, well-draining soil. Apply a good layer of mulch to help retain moisture and maintain an acidic soil. Fertilise in spring and early summer with an acid fertiliser. It does not require trimming but will tolerate being trimmed.
Produced and Marketed by Tharfield Nursery Ltd in association with Plant & Food Research. Blueberry Pink Icing® (Vaccinium corymbosum ZF06-079) is protected under the New Zealand Plant Variety Act 1987.
Vaccinium corymosum ‘ZF06-079’
Delicious large-sized dark blue fruit, preceded by pink-tinged white flowers in spring. A spreading to upright growth habit, with a fantastic display of burgundy wine autumn tones. This New Zealand bred variety is suitable for all regions in New Zealand, either in the garden or as a container plant. Although self-fertile (no other blueberries are required for pollination), additional plants or planting with Blueberry Tasty Blue™ will increase the volume of fruit.
As with all Blueberries, the health benefits of Blueberries are unrivalled from mental health benefits, heart health, bone strength, skin health, blood pressure, cancer prevention, plus many more.
Blue Dawn™ ripens from late December to February. After turning blue, leaving the blueberries on the plant for 5-7 days will enhance the flavour. Plant in full sun but will tolerate afternoon shade. Remove dead, diseased or weak wood, and after 4-5 years, remove old branches from the crown to encourage vigorous new growth.
Check out our Magical Blueberries expert advice page for more information about growing Blueberries or view our get inspired page with our Blueberry Muffin recipe.
Vaccinium ashei ‘Takahe’
Large-sized firm dark blue fruit, preceded by pink-tinged creamy white flowers in spring. Attractive upright growth habit, with bronze autumn colours, which makes them ideal as a hedge, but also just as good as a stand-alone plant. This New Zealand bred variety is suitable for all regions in New Zealand, either in the garden or as a container plant.
As with all Blueberries, the health benefits of Blueberries are unrivalled from mental health benefits, heart health, bone strength, skin health, blood pressure, cancer prevention, plus many more.
Blue Star™ ripens from late December. After turning blue, leaving the blueberries on the plant for 5-7 days will enhance the flavour. Plant in full sun but will tolerate afternoon shade. Remove dead, diseased or weak wood, and after 4-5 years, remove old branches from the crown to encourage vigorous new growth.
Check out our Magical Blueberries expert advice page, for more information about growing Blueberries or view our get inspired page with our Blueberry Muffin recipe.
Produced and Marketed by Tharfield Nursery Ltd in association with Plant & Food Research. Blueberry Blue Star™ (‘Vaccinium corymbosum PFRblue16’) is provisionally protected under the New Zealand Plant Variety Act 1987.
Vaccinium corymbosum ‘PFRblue16’
Produces excellent large clusters of medium-sized fruit that have firm flesh. The flowers are white with a pink tinge, leaves are dark green, providing a stunning backdrop to the bright blue berries. Blueberry Burst™ is suitable for all regions in New Zealand and grows very well in warmer regions. Blueberry Burst™ has an upright, compact growth habit and is suitable either in the garden or as a container plant. Although self-fertile (no other blueberries are required for pollination), additional plants or planting with Blueberry Blue Dawn™, Tasty Blue™, Powder Blue or Rahi will increase volume of fruit.
As with all Blueberries, the health benefits of Blueberries are unrivalled from mental health benefits, heart health, bone strength, skin health, blood pressure, cancer prevention, plus many more.
Blueberry Burst™ ripens from mid-February to early April. After turning blue, leaving the blueberry on the plant for 5-7 days will enhance the flavour. Plant in full sun but will tolerate afternoon shade. Remove dead, diseased or weak wood, and after 4-5 years, remove old branches from the crown to encourage vigorous new growth.
Check out our Magical Blueberries expert advice page for more information about growing Blueberries or view our get inspired page with our Blueberry Muffin recipe.
Vaccinium ashei x ‘Centurion’
An excellent crop of large dark blue fruit with bluey-green tinged foliage. The 'Lily of the Valley" flowers are white with a pink tinge. Blueberry Maru is suitable for all regions in New Zealand and does well in the North of Auckland region. It has an upright growth habit and is suitable in the garden or as a container plant. Although self-fertile (no other blueberries are required for pollination), additional plants or planting with Blueberry Blue Dawn™, Tasty Blue™, Powder Blue or Rahi will increase volume of fruit.
As with all Blueberries, the health benefits of Blueberries are unrivalled from mental health benefits, heart health, bone strength, skin health, blood pressure, cancer prevention, plus many more.
Blueberry Maru ripens in March. After turning blue, leaving the blueberry on the plant for 5-7 days will enhance the flavour. Plant in full sun but will tolerate afternoon shade. Remove dead, diseased or weak wood, and after 4-5 years, remove old branches from the crown to encourage vigorous new growth.
Check out our Magical Blueberries expert advice page for more information about growing Blueberries or view our get inspired page with our Blueberry Muffin recipe.
Vaccinium ashei ‘Maru’
Blueberry Muffin™ has heavy crops of medium-sized fruit after 'Lily of the Valley' white flowers. Leaves turn to bronze tonings in autumn. Blueberry Muffin™ is suitable for all regions in New Zealand, except in the few areas where winter temperatures stay warm. Blueberry Muffin™ has a very compact growth habit and is ideal as a container plant but is at home just as easy in a garden environment. It grows only to approximately 60cm x 60cm. Although self-fertile (no other blueberries are required for pollination), additional plants will increase volume of fruit.
As with all Blueberries, the health benefits of Blueberries are unrivalled from mental health benefits, heart health, bone strength, skin health, blood pressure, cancer prevention, plus many more.
Blueberry Muffin™ has a crop in December and then fruits again in March - April. After turning blue, leaving the blueberry on the plant for 5-7 days will enhance the flavour. Plant in full sun but will tolerate afternoon shade. Remove dead, diseased or weak wood, and after 4-5 years, remove old branches from the crown to encourage vigorous new growth.
Check out our Magical Blueberriesexpert advice page for more information about growing Blueberries or view our get inspired page with our Blueberry Muffin recipe.
Produced and Marketed by Tharfield Nursery Ltd in association with Plant & Food Research. Blueberry Muffin™ (‘Vaccinium corymbosum ‘HortBlue Petite’) is protected under the New Zealand Plant Variety Act 1987.
Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Hortberry Petite’ PVR
Produces an excellent crop of large clusters with light blue firm fruit and a sweet flavour. Thinning the volume of fruit will increase the fruit size. The flowers are creamy-white with a pink tinge. Blueberry Powder Blue is suitable for all regions in New Zealand. It has a strong upright growth habit and is suitable in the garden or as a container plant. Although self-fertile (no other blueberries are required for pollination), additional plants or planting with Blueberry Blue Dawn™, Tasty Blue™, or Rahi will increase volume of fruit.
As with all Blueberries, the health benefits of Blueberries are unrivalled from mental health benefits, heart health, bone strength, skin health, blood pressure, cancer prevention, plus many more.
Blueberry Powder Blue ripens from January to March. After turning blue, leaving the blueberry on the plant for 5-7 days will enhance the flavour. Plant in full sun but will tolerate afternoon shade. Remove dead, diseased or weak wood, and after 4-5 years, remove old branches from the crown to encourage vigorous new growth.
Check out our Magical Blueberries expert advice page for more information about growing Blueberries or view our get inspired page with our Blueberry Muffin recipe.
Vaccinium ashei ‘Powder Blue’
A firm Blueberry of a very light blue colour with outstanding fruit quality. The flowers are white with a pink tinge. Autumn foliage is a stunning display of burgundy wine colours. Blueberry Rahi is suitable for all regions in New Zealand, including the North of Auckland Region. Blueberry Rahi has a strong upright growth habit and is suitable either in the garden or as a container plant. Blueberry Rahi berries can be prone to splitting after heavy rain. Although self-fertile (no other blueberries are required for pollination), additional plants or planting with Blueberry Blue Dawn™, Tasty Blue™, Maru or Powder Blue will increase volume of fruit.
As with all Blueberries, the health benefits of Blueberries are unrivalled from mental health benefits, heart health, bone strength, skin health, blood pressure, cancer prevention, plus many more.
Blueberry Rahi ripens in February. After turning blue, leaving the blueberry on the plant for 5-7 days will enhance the flavour. Plant in full sun but will tolerate afternoon shade. Remove dead, diseased or weak wood, and after 4-5 years, remove old branches from the crown to encourage vigorous new growth.
Check out our Magical Blueberries expert advice page for more information about growing Blueberries or view our get inspired page with our Blueberry Muffin recipe.
Vaccinium ashei ‘Rahi’
Dark blue firm fruit of medium size, with blue-green foliage. The 'Lily of the Valley" flowers are white with a pink tinge. Autumn foliage colours are of burgundy wine tones. Thinning the crop in spring to enhance fruit quality is recommended for this variety. Blueberry Reka is suitable for all regions in New Zealand, except in the few areas where winter temperatures stay warm. It has an upright growth habit and is suitable in the garden or as a container plant. Although self-fertile (no other blueberries are required for pollination), additional plants will increase volume of fruit.
As with all Blueberries, the health benefits of Blueberries are unrivalled from mental health benefits, heart health, bone strength, skin health, blood pressure, cancer prevention, plus many more.
Blueberry Reka ripens in late Spring (Late November to late December). After turning blue, leaving the blueberry on the plant for 5-7 days will enhance the flavour. Plant in full sun but will tolerate afternoon shade. Remove dead, diseased or weak wood, and after 4-5 years, remove old branches from the crown to encourage vigorous new growth.
Check out our Magical Blueberries expert advice page for more information about growing Blueberries or view our get inspired page with our Blueberry Muffin recipe.
Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Reka’
Delicious large blue fruit on long arching branches, preceded by pink-tinged white flowers in spring. The leaves show a fantastic display of burgundy wine tones in autumn. This New Zealand bred variety is suitable for all regions in New Zealand, either in the garden or as a container plant. It has a small compact growth habit with long arching canes. Although self-fertile (no other blueberries are required for pollination), additional plants or planting with Blueberry Blue Dawn™, Tasty Blue™, Powder Blue or Burst will increase volume of fruit.
As with all Blueberries, the health benefits of Blueberries are unrivalled from mental health benefits, heart health, bone strength, skin health, blood pressure, cancer prevention, plus many more.
Sapphire Blue™ ripens in January and February. After turning blue, leaving the blueberry on the plant for 5-7 days will enhance the flavour. Plant in full sun but will tolerate afternoon shade. Remove dead, diseased or weak wood, and after 4-5 years, remove old branches from the crown to encourage vigorous new growth.
Check out our Magical Blueberries expert advice page for more information about growing Blueberries or view our get inspired page with our Blueberry Muffin recipe.
Produced and Marketed by Tharfield Nursery Ltd in association with Plant & Food Research. Blueberry Sapphire Blue™ (‘Vaccinium virgatum PFRblue129’) is protected under the New Zealand Plant Variety Act 1987.
Vaccinium virgatum ‘PFRblue129’
Rounded deep blue juicy berries, preceded by pink-tinged white flowers in spring. A spreading to an upright growth habit, with bronze autumn-winter tonings. This New Zealand bred variety is suitable for all regions in New Zealand, either in the garden or as a container plant. Although self-fertile (no other blueberries are required for pollination), additional plants or planting with Blueberry Blue Dawn™ will increase volume of fruit.
As with all Blueberries, the health benefits of Blueberries are unrivalled from mental health benefits, heart health, bone strength, skin health, blood pressure, cancer prevention, plus many more.
Tasty Blue™ ripens from December to February. After turning blue, leaving the blueberry on the plant for 5-7 days will enhance the flavour. Plant in full sun but will tolerate afternoon shade. Remove dead, diseased or weak wood, and after 4-5 years, remove old branches from the crown to encourage vigorous new growth.
Check out our Magical Blueberries expert advice page for more information about growing Blueberries or view our get inspired page with our Blueberry Muffin recipe.
Vaccinium ashei ‘Ono’
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Incredible Experts
Hang out with our experts for a few home-grown tips and tricks.
Blueberry Peach Sorbet® is the sister of Blueberry Pink Icing®, both stunning dwarf growing Blueberries, ideal for container growing or for the smaller garden. (Or grow them as an hedge for a stunning look). Blueberry Peach Sorbet® has a seasonal array of colours, new spring growth ranges from peach to pink, orange and emerald green, with autumn colour taking on an eggplant purple shade. Snowfall of white bell-shaped flowers appear early spring. Performs well in both warm and cooler climates.
Blueberry Peach Sorbet® will be ready for harvesting in mid-summer. fruit is sweet with a tropical essence. Although a dwarf variety in growing, it produces medium to large berries. A 3-year-old plant can produce up to 1.8kg of fruit.
Blueberry Peach Sorbet® is self-fertile, grows in full sun or part shade, and needs acidic, well-draining soil. Apply a good layer of mulch to help retain moisture and maintain an acidic soil. Fertilise in spring and early summer with an acid fertiliser. It does not require trimming but will tolerate being trimmed.
Produced and Marketed by Tharfield Nursery Ltd in association with Plant & Food Research. Blueberry Peach Sorbet® (Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-043’) is protected under the New Zealand Plant Variety Act 1987.
Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-043’