Mix-and-match for free shipping when purchasing 6 or more perennial berries, vines, or crowns!   Emerald blueberries are a heat-tolerant, vigorous variety known for their extra-large, sweet fruit. These berries are perfect for fresh eating, baking, and freezing. Thriving in full sun and well-draining, acidic soil, Emerald plants are highly productive and well-suited for warm climates, including southern regions. Their extended growing season and reliable harvests make them an excellent choice for gardeners seeking high-quality berries with minimal maintenance. With their impressive size and sweet flavor, Emerald blueberries are a premium addition to any garden.

• Variety: Southern Highbush

• Plant Age: 1.5 years

• Zones: 8-10

• Chill Hours: 250

• Harvest: Mid-season

• Bush Habit: Rounded, spreading bush reaching 5'-6' tall with green foliage in fall.

• Fruit: Very large, mildly sweet flavored berries.

Facts of note: Emerald yields abundant crops of the largest southern highbush berries with a mild, sweet flavor. Its rounded, spreading bush habit makes it a great landscape plant.

Dependable in southern climates with a low chill requirement of 250 hours. Long harvest period. Difficult to grow from blueberry seeds.

Emerald Blueberries, scientifically known as Vaccinium corymbosum 'Emerald', are a distinctive variety of the southern highbush blueberries. These plants have gained popularity for their unique characteristics, including their flavor profile, growth habits, and historical development. Understanding the details of Emerald Blueberries helps gardeners and consumers appreciate this particular fruit.

Emerald blueberry plants are popular in the US and thrive in various soils, particularly sandy ones with good drainage. Blueberry plants can grow in many places because they can handle different levels of pH in the soil.

Appearance and Flavor Profile

Emerald Blueberries stand out with their large, plump berries that exhibit a deep, glossy blue hue when ripe. These fruits look nice and have a firm texture, so they are great for eating fresh or using in cooking. Blueberry fans love the sweet and slightly tart taste of these berries, finding them refreshing and well balanced.

Growth Conditions and Root Systems

Blueberries are a staple crop in the United States, cherished for their flavorful berries and nutritional value. These plants boast shallow root systems that extend widely, making them well-suited for sandy soils common in many regions.

These blueberries thrive in acidic conditions, with a pH level ideally ranging between 4.5 and 5.5. When planting, ensure the soil is prepared to the appropriate depth, typically around 18-24 inches deep, to accommodate the shallow root system of the blueberry plants. Incorporating organic matter like wood chips into the soil can help maintain acidity levels and improve soil structure.

Blueberries are often cultivated in garden plantings, where they can benefit from mulching with wood chips to retain moisture and suppress weeds. With proper care and attention to soil acidity, depth, and mulching, blueberries can flourish and provide abundant harvests for years to come.

Emerald Blueberry plants are known for their vigor and productivity. They require full sun exposure for optimal growth and berry production. Additionally, these plants are cold-hardy, making them suitable for cultivation in regions with cooler climates. However, they do require some winter chill hours to produce fruit effectively.

History of the Plant

The history of Vaccinium corymbosum 'Emerald' is intertwined with the broader history of blueberry cultivation. Southern highbush blueberries, the category to which Emerald blueberries belong, are native to North America. The domestication and breeding of these wild plants began in the early 20th century, aiming to improve berry size, taste, and plant hardiness.

Emerald blueberries were developed through selective breeding programs focused on enhancing qualities such as berry size, flavor, and the adaptability of the plants to different environmental conditions. The Emerald blueberry bush is a direct result of these efforts, offering a variety with excellent fruit and hardiness. For optimal growth, peat moss is often recommended to improve soil conditions, ensuring the best environment for this variety to thrive.

For more information, please enjoy our Growing Guide for planting and growing blueberries.