Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Northern Highbush Blueberry

(Vaccinium corymbosum)

Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Blueberry Glade

CC BY-SA 3.0

Image By: Blueberry Glade

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Vaccinium corymbosum, commonly known as Northern Highbush Blueberry, is a deciduous shrub native to the wetland edges, forest clearings, and bogs of the Eastern United States and Canada. It typically grows 6–12 feet (1.8–3.7 m) tall and wide, often forming dense thickets. The plant features dark glossy green leaves that provide a stunning display of red, orange, yellow, and purple hues in the fall. Its white to very light pink flowers are bell- or urn-shaped, measuring about 1⁄3 inch (8.5 mm) in length, and bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers are modestly showy and give way to edible blueberries that are both attractive and beneficial for wildlife.

Northern Highbush Blueberry is valued for its beautiful fall foliage, edible fruit, and its use as an ornamental plant in home gardens, wildlife gardens, and natural landscaping. It is also popular for its health benefits, as the berries are high in antioxidants. This shrub requires very acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. It thrives in full sun to part shade and can adapt to a range of soil drainage conditions, from fast to slow. While generally easy to maintain, it can be susceptible to pests like the blueberry maggot and diseases such as powdery mildew. It’s important to provide adequate water, especially in dry periods, and to ensure good air circulation to minimize disease risk.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrub
Height: 6-12 feet
Width: 8-12 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Hedges, Hummingbird Garden, Potted Plant, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Wetland edges, forest clearings, and bogs in the Eastern United States and Canada

Other Names

Common Names: Blue Huckleberry , Tall Huckleberry , Swamp Huckleberry , Swamp Blueberry , High Blueberry , New Jersey Blueberry , Southern Blueberry , Smallflower Blueberry , Amerikanische Blaubeere , Amerikanische Strauch-Heidelbeere

Scientific Names: Vaccinium corymbosum , Vaccinium ashei , Vaccinium parviflorum , Vaccinium albiflorum , Vaccinium constablaei , Vaccinium stamineum var. sericeum , Vaccinium corymbosum var. glabrum , Vaccinium marianum , Vaccinium vicinum , Vaccinium corymbosum f. albiflorum

GBIF Accepted Name: Vaccinium corymbosum L.