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Berries
Grow Blueberries

 Blueberries can be grown in home gardens anywhere in New Zealand, if the right selections and proper soil modifications are used. As well as culinary uses the blueberry has many landscape uses including hedging and use in mixed plantings. They have delicate white or pink spring flowers, the summer fruit has an attractive sky blue colour, and the autumn foliage adds great red and yellow colours to the landscape. In addition, blueberry plants lend themselves to the organic’ approach of gardening.

The fruit of all blueberries are usually abundant, attractive, and flavourful. The fruits can be used in cooking or eaten fresh. They can also be frozen, canned, preserved as jams, or dried for use as a substitute for raisins. The fruits provide many healthful dietary factors, including vitamins, minerals, and components that may help prevent certain diseases. and for those with bad memories blueberries are now recognised as great brain food!

 

REGIONAL VARIETY GUIDE

TYPE

FLOWERING TIME

SUITABLE REGIONS

Southern Highbush

Late winter

All areas except south of Canterbury.

Northern Highbush

Mid spring

All areas

Rabbiteye

Early spring

All areas

 

Southern Highbush:  Due to the risk of frost damage to blossom during the flowering time  of the Southern Highbush types, these varieties are generally not suitable for the more Southern areas of New Zealand.

 

POLLINATION

Most blueberries are at least partially self fertile but will produce bigger and more consistent crops if cross pollinated. Planting a combination of varieties of the same type (ie. two different Northern Highbush varieties) will ensure good cross pollination and therefore good cropping. 

 

Northern Highbush -Bluecrop, Bluejoy, Dixi, Nui, Puru, Reka.

Southern Highbush -Marimba, Misty, O'Neal, Petite Blue.

Rabbiteye -Centurion, Climax, Delite, Powder Blue, Tifblue.

 

BLUEBERRY POLLINATION GUIDE

VARIETY

 

TYPE

Bluecrop

Bluejoy

Delite

Dixi

Duke

Marimba

Misty

Petite Blue

Powder Blue

Southland

Tifblue

Bluecrop

Northern Highbush

 

 

           

Bluejoy

Northern Highbush

   

           

Delite

Rabbiteye

               

Dixi

Northern Highbush

   

           

Duke

Northern Highbush

 

             

Marimba

Southern Highbush

           

     

Misty

Southern Highbush

         

 

     

Petite Blue

Southern Highbush

         

       

Powder Blue

Rabbiteye

   

           

Southland

Rabbiteye

   

         

 

Tifblue

Rabbiteye