Rudbeckia Fulgida Banner July 2022 — Rudbeckia fulgida (orange coneflower). Photo by Mary Free

Vaccinium corymbosum ([Northern] Highbush Blueberry)

Vaccinium corymbosum, Highbush blueberry, shrub in spring

Vaccinium corymbosum, Highbush blueberry, leaves in April

Vaccinium corymbosum, Highbush blueberry, flower buds in April

Vaccinium corymbosum, Highbush blueberry, flowers in April

Delicate Vaccinium corymbosum, Highbush blueberry, flowers in April

Vaccinium corymbosum, Highbush blueberry, fruit in July

Vaccinium corymbosum, Highbush blueberry, fruit in July

Brilliant fall foliage of highbush blueberry.

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Commercially valuable as a food crop, this species yields the best blueberries and autumn color when grown in full sun. Due to widespread hybridization, its distribution in Virginia has been difficult to map.* Shrub Flowering Shrub, Flowers, Fruit Height: 6–12 feet Spread: 4–10 feet Bloom Color: White or pink-tinged Characteristics Upright, broad-spreading, deciduous shrub Alternate, deep green, glossy, oval foliage Nodding, bell-shaped flowers in loose corymbs bloom from April to June Edible, waxy, blue-black berries that contain many tiny seeds; spreads by reseeding Brilliant gold-orange-red-to-purple autumn color Attributes No serious pests or diseases; deer and rabbits occasionally severely damage (esp. in winter) Reddish stems can be attractive in winter Excellent ornamental value Attracts bees; larval host to various Lepidoptera; many animals eat the berries but esp. birds so cover with netting to protect as crop ripens Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Rich, well-drained, acidic Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Water Requirements: Moist, Wet Although self-fertile, for best crop yield plant more than one variety with synchronous bloom In the planting year and the following year, remove flowers to promote growth; starting third year after planting, prune as needed in late winter Use in shrub border, native plant garden, or as hedge Excellent Replacement for Berberis thunbergii - Japanese Barberry Euonymus alatus - Burning Bush * It occurs frequently in the southern mountains and is found in Arlington and Fairfax counties but is infrequent to rare elsewhere. Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–8 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, National Garden, U.S. Botanic Garden

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Vaccinium corymbosum ([Northern] Highbush Blueberry)

Commercially valuable as a food crop, this species yields the best blueberries and autumn color when grown in full sun. Due to widespread hybridization, its distribution in Virginia has been difficult to map.*

* It occurs frequently in the southern mountains and is found in Arlington and Fairfax counties but is infrequent to rare elsewhere.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants:
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets