Blueberry Sunshine Blue

Vaccinium ‘Sunshine Blue’

Characteristics

Culture

“Sunshine Blue” blueberries are considered a southern highbush variety, meaning they are hybridized for low winter chilling, a measure of accumulated hours of temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit in the dormant season. Although some blueberry types require chilling of 1,000 hours, “Sunshine Blue” plants only require 150 hours. The bush’s hot pink, bell-shaped flowers appear in late spring, followed by bluish-green foliage throughout the season and bright red leaves in fall. Plants average 3 to 4 feet tall and wide and can live for approximately 30 years.

Noteworthy Characteristics

One of the best varieties for mild-winter areas, a low-chill selection perfect for small gardens or large patio tubs. Sunshine Blue is self-pollinating but yields best when planted with another variety that blooms at the same time for cross pollination. It is a moderate growing, semi-dwarf shrub. Sunshine Blue tolerates a pH of 6.5 – much higher than other blueberry varieties. If planting in a container you can use acidic potting soil that is labeled for Azaleas, Camelias, and Rhododendrons.   

Problems

Click here for help with pests and disease issues.

Uses

Delicious berries for eating. Blueberries freeze well for later use. Freeze them first in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and when they are frozen you can keep them frozen in zip lock bags.

This edible plant is also attractive and can be used in other places in your landscape such as in a Kitchen Garden, hedge, container, or border.

---

Information from: Homeguides.sfgate.com, Monrovia.com, Burpee.com, Naturehills.com, Smartgardener.com, and Aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu