Patriot Highbush Blueberry — Vaccinium corymbosum 'Patriot'

Patriot Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum 'Patriot') combines sweet blue berries with ornamental appeal across three seasons. Clusters of pinkish-white flowers appear in late spring, followed by blue berries in summer. Dark green foliage turns shades of red and purple in fall.

This deciduous fruiting shrub is a selection of a species native to eastern North America, including Georgia. Grow in full sun for best fruiting and rich, moist, acidic, well-drained soil. Its listed winter chill requirement is 800–1,000 hours, an important consideration when choosing a planting location.

Growing details

• Plant type: Deciduous fruiting shrub
• Species origin: Eastern North America; native to Georgia
• Listed height and spread: 5–8 feet tall and wide
• Spacing: Approximately 7 feet apart
• Listed USDA hardiness zones: 5–8
• Light: Full sun to part sun; best fruiting in full sun
• Soil: Rich, moist, acidic and well-drained
• Flowers: Pinkish-white clusters in late spring
• Fruit: Sweet blue blueberries in summer
• Fall foliage: Red and purple
• Listed chill requirement: 800–1,000 hours

Care and garden use

Water regularly and mulch to help retain soil moisture. Maintain acidic soil; high-pH conditions can cause leaf yellowing. Prune as needed in late winter. This shrub has moderate maintenance needs.

Use in edible gardens, borders, informal hedges, foundation beds or grouped plantings. Woodland-edge sites should provide adequate sunlight for fruiting. Containers must provide ample root space, drainage and an acidic growing medium. Allow room for the listed mature spread.

Image credit: Rob Duval, Blueberry-patriot-ripe-2012, CC BY-SA 3.0.