Which blueberry varieties perform well in Iowa?
Which blueberry varieties perform well in Iowa?
Highbush and half-high blueberries can be successfully grown in Iowa.
Highbush blueberries perform best in central and southern Iowa. Plants develop into 6 to 8 foot tall shrubs. Suggested varieties for gardeners in central and southern Iowa include ‘Patriot,’ ‘Blueray,’ ‘Bluecrop,’ ‘Rubel,’ ‘Jersey,’ and ‘Elliott.’
Half-high blueberries possess greater cold hardiness and are the best choice for gardeners in northern Iowa. Plants are relatively small (varieties commonly grow only 2 to 3 feet tall) and produce small to medium size berries. Suggested varieties are ‘Northblue,’ ‘Northcountry,’ ‘Northsky,’ and ‘St. Cloud.’
Plant 2 or 3 blueberry varieties to insure adequate pollination and fruit set.
Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Horticulture and Home Pest News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on . The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.