Vaccinium Species, Rabbit-Eye Blueberry, Smallflower Blueberry, Southern High Bush Blueberry

Blueberries are an excellent landscaping plant, providing the gardener with fairly disease-resistant, trouble-free fruit, on a plant that...Read More serves double-duty as an ornamental shrub, with beautiful blooms and nice foliage.

Blueberries do require an acidic soil, typically 5.5 pH or lower, and can take three to five years to begin bearing sizeable quantities of fruit. Protect ripening fruit from hungry birds with netting.

Rabbiteye blueberries are native to the Southeastern U.S., and while not particularly cold-hardy, are more heat-tolerant than most highbush varieties. They can achieve a height of 10' or more if not pruned properly. Most growers maintain a height of 6' or so for easier fruit gathering.

Like the highbush varieties, rabbiteye fruit is relatively large, typically about 1/2" to 1" in diameter. When harvesting the fruit for freezing, do not wash the fruit. Rather, lay it in a single layer in a shallow pan or baking sheet, pick over carefully and freeze. (Washing the fruit removes its waxy blush, which protects it from mold, and will cause the fruit to stick together.) When frozen, place in an airtight container or bag. To use, pour out the frozen fruit and rinse before adding to the recipe.