Struggling to choose the best NC blueberry cultivars to add to your garden? I agonize over that decision myself, given that it takes so long for a blueberry plant to establish and bear fruit. To make things easier, first learn which type of blueberry is best to grow in your area. After that, decide which cultivar, or combination of cultivars will do.
The three best blueberries for NC and popular cultivars
Rabbiteye (Vaccinium virgatum, aka V. ashei)
- Best for: Most of NC, below 2,500 ft. elevation (Piedmont to coast)
- Strengths: Easiest for most homeowners; tolerates a wider range of soil pH and some drought; harvest can be spread over a longer season
- Pollination: Plant more than one cultivar for cross-pollination; cultivars with similar harvest times make for better pollinating buddies
| CULTIVAR NAME | HARVEST TIME | COMMENTS |
| Alapaha | early season | vigorous, dark blue fruit (2001) |
| Vernon | early season | good flavor, medium-large fruit (2004) |
| Titan | early season | very large fruit (2010) |
| Kremer | early season | very large fruit (2015) |
| Ochlockonee | mid-late season | vigorous, excellent flavor (2002) |
| Columbus | late season | large, sweet fruit (2005) |
| Pink Lemonade | late season | pink fruit, disease resistant (2005) |
While the ol’ Rabbiteye standbys (Tifblue, Powderblue, Climax, and Premier) are still around, the above cultivars have many exciting traits and improvements.
Northern Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum)
- Best for: NC mountains above 2500 ft
- Strengths: Sweet flavor, requires longer chilling hours (perfect for the mountains)
- Pollination: Many are self-fertile, but cross-pollination boosts fruit production
| CULTIVAR NAME | COMMENTS |
| Patriot | dark blue, excellent flavor, adaptable |
| Blueray | productive, excellent flavor |
| Blue Gold | excellent flavor |
| Northland | dark blue, productive |
| Reka | adaptable, productive |
| Draper | productive |
These plants need evenly moist soil, but with good drainage.
Southern Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum sub. sp.)
- Best for: Coastal plain, sandy soils
- Strengths: Take heat and humidity, favored by coastal commercial growers, low chilling hours (better suited for warmer zones)
- Pollination: self-pollinating
| CULTIVAR NAME | COMMENTS |
| O’Neal | excellent flavor |
| Legacy | adaptable, productive |
| New Hanover | large, sweet fruit |
Like their Northern cousins, they must have evenly moist soil, but good drainage. Commercial growers utilize irrigation and high berms.
Final Thoughts:
While there are many growers of blueberries, we have purchased from Edible Landscaping and Norse Farms/Johnnys Selected Seeds. They have a good selection of the best NC blueberry cultivars.
- All blueberries require acidic, well-drained soil (not heavy clay) with plenty of organic matter.
- Plant blueberries in raised beds to prevent root rot.
Have other blueberry cultivars that you use and love? Let us know. Thanks for reading!
