Southern Blueberries
Southern Blueberries: Heat-Loving Varieties for Warm Climates
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Sunshine Blue Blueberry
$21.99 - $32.99.seo-content-container { font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; line-height: 1.6; color: #333; padding: 1em; ...$21.99 - $32.99 -
On Sale
Brightwell Rabbiteye Blueberry
$19.99 - $39.99Brightwell (Vaccinium ashei Reade) was released in Georgia in 1983. Early-mid season. It has a reported chilling requirement of 350-400 hours but bloom date occurs with most 500-550 hour cultivars. Brightwell has been one of...$19.99 - $39.99 -
Sweetheart Blueberry
$19.99 - $34.99Sweetheart Blueberry: The Double-Cropping Super Berry Why settle for one harvest when you can have two? The Sweetheart Blueberry is a remarkable Northern-Southern Highbush hybrid designed to extend your berry season. This vigorous bush produces a heavy...$19.99 - $34.99 -
On Sale
Prince Rabbiteye Blueberry
Now: $32.99Was: $34.99Prince Blueberry Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have released a new early-ripening rabbiteye blueberry cultivar that, when grown with other blueberry varieties, will extend the growing and harvesting season in the U.S...Now: $32.99Was: $34.99 -
Jewel Blueberry
$21.99Jewel blueberry (SPP 11,807 ). Released in Florida in 1998 by a breeder named Dr. Paul Lyrene. Early-mid variety. Widely known in California and Florida. Large-Very Large berries have a light blue color and are DELICIOUS! Upright bushes are...$21.99 -
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Austin Rabbiteye Blueberry
$32.99 - $39.99Austin plants are moderately vigorous, productive, and upright. Berries are large in size, blue in color, firm, have dry scars, good flavor, and good shelf life. Ripens in June. Zone: 7-10 Size: Gallon$32.99 - $39.99 -
Premier Rabbiteye Blueberry
$32.99 - $39.99.seo-content-container { font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; line-height: 1.6; color: #333; padding: 1em; ...$32.99 - $39.99 -
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Tifblue Rabbiteye Blueberry
$32.99 - $39.99Tifblue (Vaccinium ashei Reade) was released in Georgia in 1955. (Cross Ethel x Clara. A parent of Ochlocknee.) Chilling requirement of 600-700 hours. Mid-late season. The approximate date of ripening in South Georgia is late June to August 1. The...$32.99 - $39.99 -
On Sale
Climax Rabbiteye Blueberry
Now: $32.99Was: $34.99Climax (Vaccinium ashei Reade) was released in Georgia in 1974. Chilling requirement of about 400 to 450 hours, blooms early most years, and frequently suffers freeze damage. Berries are medium size with good color, small scar, and very good...Now: $32.99Was: $34.99 -
Emerald Blueberry
$24.99 - $32.99Emerald ( PP 11,807) has a chilling requirement of about 200-300 hours, so it blooms early. Subject to some Fall flowering. Berries size is large to very large and moderately firm. Emerald berries maintain very good size throughout the harvest...$24.99 - $32.99 -
On Sale
Ochlockonee Rabbiteye Blueberry
Now: $32.99Was: $34.99DELICIOUS! ‘Ochlockonee’ (rabbiteye): (USPP 17,300) (ok-LAHK-uh-nee), named after the Ochlockonee River in south Georgia, is a late season rabbiteye blueberry that was released in 2002. Plants of Ochlockonee are vigorous, upright and...Now: $32.99Was: $34.99 -
On Sale
PowderBlue Rabbiteye Blueberry
$32.99 - $39.99Powder Blue released jointly by North Carolina State University and the United States Department of Agriculture-ARS in 1978. Powder Blue has a chilling requirement of 550-650 hours. Approximate date of ripening is late June to early August. Berries are...$32.99 - $39.99
Growing blueberries in the South requires specialized genetics capable of thriving in heat and producing fruit with lower chill hour accumulation. At Berries Unlimited, our Southern Blueberries collection features premium Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye varieties selected for their vigor, disease resistance, and exceptional flavor in warmer zones. Unlike their Northern cousins, these plants are bred to break dormancy with fewer cold hours, making them the ideal choice for growers in Zones 7 through 10. Whether you are looking for the early harvest of a Southern Highbush or the robust, heavy yields of a Rabbiteye, these bushes deliver sweet, firm berries perfect for fresh eating, baking, and preserves.
Collection Highlights
| Variety/Type | Harvest Season | Flavor/Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Highbush Varieties | Hybrids bred for low chill requirements and heat tolerance. | Earliest ripening; superior fruit quality similar to Northern Highbush. |
| Rabbiteye Varieties | Native to the American South; highly vigorous and drought tolerant. | Extremely heavy yields and pest resistance; ideal for beginners. |
| Flavor Profile | Ranges from sweet-tart (Highbush) to sweet-musky (Rabbiteye). | Diverse flavors for fresh eating or processing. |
Growing Information
| Specification | Range in Collection |
|---|---|
| Hardiness Zones | Zones 6 - 10 (Variety Dependent) |
| Chill Hour Requirement | 150 - 600 Hours |
| Soil pH Requirement | 4.5 - 5.5 (Acidic) |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun (6-8+ Hours) |
Who Is This Collection For?
- Home Orchards: Perfect for backyard growers in hot climates where traditional varieties fail.
- Edible Landscaping: Rabbiteye varieties grow large and make excellent ornamental hedges with fall color.
- Commercial Production: High-yield varieties suitable for U-Pick operations and market growers in the South.
Top Performers in this Category
- Rabbiteye Blueberry Bushes - Vigorous, pest-resistant varieties like Tifblue and Powderblue ideal for Zone 8.
- Southern Highbush Blueberry Plants - Low-chill varieties like O'Neal and Sunshine Blue for early harvests in Zone 9.
- Heat Tolerant Collections - Curated selections of blueberries designed to withstand hot, humid summers.
You May Also Like
- Blueberries - View our complete selection of blueberry plants for all zones.
- Northern Blueberries - Cold-hardy varieties for growers in Zones 3-7.
- Soil Moisturizer- Garden Saver - Essential soil amendments to maintain moisture for shallow-rooted blueberries.
- Bird Supplies/Protection - Protect your harvest from birds with our netting and deterrents.
At Berries Unlimited, we are dedicated to your success in the garden. Our Southern Blueberries are propagated from virus-indexed tissue culture to ensure you receive the healthiest, most vigorous plants possible. Whether you are planting a single patio pot or a full acre, our expert horticulturalists are here to help you choose the right low-chill varieties for your specific microclimate. Order your heat-tolerant blueberry bushes today and enjoy the taste of fresh, homegrown berries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye blueberries?
A: Southern Highbush varieties are hybrids bred for low chill hours, ripening earlier with fruit quality similar to Northern Highbush. Rabbiteye blueberries are native to the South, generally larger, more vigorous, more drought-tolerant, and ripen later in the season.
Q: Do I need to plant different varieties for pollination?
A: Yes, especially for Rabbiteye blueberries. While some Southern Highbush are partially self-fertile, planting at least two different varieties that bloom at the same time significantly increases berry size and yield. Rabbiteyes require cross-pollination to set fruit.
Q: Which Southern Blueberry varieties are best for Zone 9?
A: For Zone 9, you need varieties with very low chill hour requirements (usually under 300 hours). Southern Highbush varieties like Sunshine Blue, Misty, and Jewel are excellent choices for these warmer climates.
Q: How do I prepare the soil for Southern Blueberries?
A: Blueberries require acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. In the South, it is crucial to amend your soil with organic matter like peat moss or pine bark to lower pH and improve moisture retention, as these plants have shallow root systems sensitive to drought.