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Item Number: FV365

Blueberry - Sunshine Blue (Mid-Late Harvest)

Blueberry - Sunshine Blue (Mid-Late Harvest)

Compact Bush Good For Containers

Vaccinium hybrid, The Southern Patio Blueberry

  • Zones: 5-10
  • Plant Age: 1.5 years
  • Chill Hours: 150
  • Harvest: Mid to late season.
  • Bush Habit: Upright, compact bush reaching 3' tall, with blue-green and burgundy foliage in fall.
  • Fruit: Medium, rich, sweet flavored berries.
  • Facts of note: For gardens from San Diego to Seattle, Sunshine Blue is a Southern Highbush that has it all. This semi-dwarf, versatile evergreen blueberry features showy hot pink flowers that fade to white in spring, yielding large crops of delicious berries. Sunshine Blue tolerates higher pH soils better than many other blueberries and it is self-pollinizing but will produce a bigger crop if another blueberry variety is planted nearby. The low chilling requirement of 150 hours makes it suitable for Southern California, but we find it is surprisingly cold-hardy and a wonderful addition to patios and gardens in the Pacific Northwest.

Sunshine Blue Blueberry: A Delicious and Unique Blueberry Variety

Blueberries are a beloved fruit cherished for their sweet, juicy taste and numerous health benefits. Among the many blueberry varieties available, the Sunshine Blue Blueberry stands out as a unique and delightful option for both home gardeners and commercial growers. In this article, we will explore the key characteristics and advantages of the Sunshine Blue Blueberry.

Introduction to Sunshine Blue Blueberry

The Sunshine Blue Blueberry, scientifically known as Vaccinium corymbosum 'Sunshine Blue,' is a cultivar that has gained popularity for its exceptional qualities. It is a deciduous shrub that belongs to the Vaccinium genus, a group of plants renowned for their delicious and nutritious berries. What makes Sunshine Blue Blueberries so distinct is their suitability for various climates, making them an excellent choice for regions with mild winters.

Hardy and Adaptable

One of the standout features of Sunshine Blue Blueberries is their adaptability to different climates. Unlike many other blueberry varieties that require a certain number of chilling hours during the winter to produce fruit, Sunshine Blue Blueberries are low-chill varieties. This means they can thrive and produce bountiful harvests in areas with mild winter temperatures, making them a viable option for gardeners in warmer regions.

Appearance and Flavor

The Sunshine Blue Blueberry produces medium-sized berries that are typically light blue to medium blue in color. Their round shape and smooth skin make them visually appealing. When it comes to taste, these berries offer a delightful combination of sweetness and tartness, creating a balanced flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates. Their juicy, plump texture adds to their overall appeal, making them ideal for fresh eating, baking, or preserving.

Productive and Reliable

Another reason to consider growing Sunshine Blue Blueberries is their reliability and productivity. These plants tend to bear fruit earlier in the season compared to some other blueberry varieties. Once established, they can produce a consistent and abundant harvest year after year. The bushes themselves are typically compact and upright, making them easy to manage and harvest without the need for extensive pruning.

Health Benefits

Aside from their delectable taste, blueberries are known for their numerous health benefits*. They are rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which have been linked to various health advantages, including improved cognitive function and reduced risk of chronic diseases. Sunshine Blue Blueberries are no exception, making them a nutritious addition to your diet.

Growing Tips

If you're considering adding Sunshine Blue Blueberries to your garden, here are some essential tips to ensure their success:

  1. Location: Plant your Sunshine Blue Blueberry bushes in a location with well-drained soil and full sun exposure for optimal fruit production.

  2. Soil pH: Blueberries prefer acidic soil with a pH level between 4.5 and 5.5. You may need to amend your soil to achieve this pH range.

  3. Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during the growing season.

  4. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture and control weeds.

  5. Pruning: Prune your blueberry bushes in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth and remove any dead or diseased branches.

Sunshine Blue Blueberries are a wonderful addition to any garden. Their adaptability to various climates, delicious flavor, and numerous health benefits make them a top choice for both novice and experienced growers. By following proper care and maintenance guidelines, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of these delectable blueberries year after year.

For more information, please enjoy our Growing Guide for planting and growing blueberries.

* Not medical advice. See physician for details.

Available to Ship After: 1/10/2025. Order today to reserve yours!
$14.99
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Check Your Zone Compatibility:

Description

Vaccinium hybrid, The Southern Patio Blueberry

  • Zones: 5-10
  • Plant Age: 1.5 years
  • Chill Hours: 150
  • Harvest: Mid to late season.
  • Bush Habit: Upright, compact bush reaching 3' tall, with blue-green and burgundy foliage in fall.
  • Fruit: Medium, rich, sweet flavored berries.
  • Facts of note: For gardens from San Diego to Seattle, Sunshine Blue is a Southern Highbush that has it all. This semi-dwarf, versatile evergreen blueberry features showy hot pink flowers that fade to white in spring, yielding large crops of delicious berries. Sunshine Blue tolerates higher pH soils better than many other blueberries and it is self-pollinizing but will produce a bigger crop if another blueberry variety is planted nearby. The low chilling requirement of 150 hours makes it suitable for Southern California, but we find it is surprisingly cold-hardy and a wonderful addition to patios and gardens in the Pacific Northwest.

Sunshine Blue Blueberry: A Delicious and Unique Blueberry Variety

Blueberries are a beloved fruit cherished for their sweet, juicy taste and numerous health benefits. Among the many blueberry varieties available, the Sunshine Blue Blueberry stands out as a unique and delightful option for both home gardeners and commercial growers. In this article, we will explore the key characteristics and advantages of the Sunshine Blue Blueberry.

Introduction to Sunshine Blue Blueberry

The Sunshine Blue Blueberry, scientifically known as Vaccinium corymbosum 'Sunshine Blue,' is a cultivar that has gained popularity for its exceptional qualities. It is a deciduous shrub that belongs to the Vaccinium genus, a group of plants renowned for their delicious and nutritious berries. What makes Sunshine Blue Blueberries so distinct is their suitability for various climates, making them an excellent choice for regions with mild winters.

Hardy and Adaptable

One of the standout features of Sunshine Blue Blueberries is their adaptability to different climates. Unlike many other blueberry varieties that require a certain number of chilling hours during the winter to produce fruit, Sunshine Blue Blueberries are low-chill varieties. This means they can thrive and produce bountiful harvests in areas with mild winter temperatures, making them a viable option for gardeners in warmer regions.

Appearance and Flavor

The Sunshine Blue Blueberry produces medium-sized berries that are typically light blue to medium blue in color. Their round shape and smooth skin make them visually appealing. When it comes to taste, these berries offer a delightful combination of sweetness and tartness, creating a balanced flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates. Their juicy, plump texture adds to their overall appeal, making them ideal for fresh eating, baking, or preserving.

Productive and Reliable

Another reason to consider growing Sunshine Blue Blueberries is their reliability and productivity. These plants tend to bear fruit earlier in the season compared to some other blueberry varieties. Once established, they can produce a consistent and abundant harvest year after year. The bushes themselves are typically compact and upright, making them easy to manage and harvest without the need for extensive pruning.

Health Benefits

Aside from their delectable taste, blueberries are known for their numerous health benefits*. They are rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which have been linked to various health advantages, including improved cognitive function and reduced risk of chronic diseases. Sunshine Blue Blueberries are no exception, making them a nutritious addition to your diet.

Growing Tips

If you're considering adding Sunshine Blue Blueberries to your garden, here are some essential tips to ensure their success:

  1. Location: Plant your Sunshine Blue Blueberry bushes in a location with well-drained soil and full sun exposure for optimal fruit production.

  2. Soil pH: Blueberries prefer acidic soil with a pH level between 4.5 and 5.5. You may need to amend your soil to achieve this pH range.

  3. Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during the growing season.

  4. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture and control weeds.

  5. Pruning: Prune your blueberry bushes in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth and remove any dead or diseased branches.

Sunshine Blue Blueberries are a wonderful addition to any garden. Their adaptability to various climates, delicious flavor, and numerous health benefits make them a top choice for both novice and experienced growers. By following proper care and maintenance guidelines, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of these delectable blueberries year after year.

For more information, please enjoy our Growing Guide for planting and growing blueberries.

* Not medical advice. See physician for details.

The Sunshine blue blueberry is a variety of blueberry that is prized for its sweetness and large size. The berries are a deep blue color with a slight purple tint, and they have a firm flesh that is packed with juice. The flavor of the Sunshine blue is well-balanced, with a delicate sweetness that is offset by a slight tartness. This variety of blueberry plant is also one of the most disease-resistant, making it a good choice for growers who want to minimize the use of chemicals. The Sunshine blue was developed by crossing two other varieties of blueberry, the Bluecrop and the Elliott. It was introduced in 1992 and has since become one of the most popular varieties grown in the United States.

Delicious, exceptionally nutritious, high in bioflavanoids. Consider climate suitability, ripening season and fruit size when selecting varieties and include at least two different varieties for cross-pollination and fruiting (any two varieties will do, regardless of ripening time). Medium-sized and enjoys full sun this plant provides beautiful blue green foliage. Grow in acidic, high ph, well-drained soil. Cottonseed meal is an excellent fertilizer for blueberries along with good quality compost and peat moss.

See our full collection of blueberries for sale, as well as our growing guide in the Resource Center. 

Shipping Information

Ships from Northern CA.

Cannot ship to the following states: HI, AK, PR, GU, VI

Cannot ship via USPS.

Cannot ship via SmartPost.

Shipping Weight: 3.0 lb

Dimensions: 14.0"L x 3.0"W x 3.0"H

Features

  • Bare Root
  • Container Compatible
  • Long-Lived

Characteristics

USDA Growing Zone: 5 - 10
Approximate Harvest Time : Early Summer
Approximate Harvest Time : Late Spring
Approximate Harvest Time : Late Summer
Blueberry Type : Southern (0-700 chill hours)
Chill Hours Needed : 0-150 hours
Growth Habit : Bush
Plant Quantity : Single Plant
Planting Time : Spring
Planting Time : Winter
Time to Fruit Production : 2-3 Years

Planting & Care

Useful Information

Guarantee

Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee

* Claim deadline is June 15th

We guarantee that your dormant tree or plant will arrive in good, viable condition. If your tree arrives in substandard condition, notify us within 3 days of delivery. Please email pictures of the box, inside packaging, the tree and its roots to helpdesk@groworganic.com.  We will investigate your claim and process a request to exchange or refund the damaged product.

If your dormant tree or plant has not grown new leaves by June 15th, you may be eligible for our Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee. This guarantee provides for a store credit for the purchase price of the tree, excluding shipping. Please see the Instructions below.

Important Dates:

  • April 1st Dormant trees/plants must be planted in the ground
  • May 15th Perform scratch test, if no new leaves have grown
  • June 15th Deadline to apply for a dormant tree/plant credit

All required documentation must be received by June 15th for your claim to be considered. Claims or documentation received after June 15th will be denied, without exception. Instructions listed below

Terms and Conditions

We cannot guarantee that your tree or plant will remain alive and healthy after it is received, or bear fruit as there are too many variables in your environment that are beyond our control (i.e. soil preparation, weed and pest control, proper irrigation, chill hours, compatible hardiness for your growing zone, proper choice of pollinator, extreme weather, rodent damage, disease, etc.). 

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide a replacement tree/plant of the same species either that same growing season or in future years. Customers are responsible for all shipping fees associated with replacement trees and plants. 

If we determine that the tree you purchased directly from us is not viable, we will issue you a store credit (not a refund) for the purchase price of the affected dormant tree or plant. Shipping is not included in the dormant tree/plant guarantee. Store credits can be used to purchase any product we sell and are valid for use only until July 1st of the following year.

Historically, 98% of our dormant trees and plants grow and thrive when they have been cared for and planted using our growing guides. Dormant trees and plants must be planted in the ground by April 1st in order to be eligible for credit. If the ground in your area is still frozen solid, you may temporarily plant your tree or plant in a pot. 

Potted, non-dormant trees or plants are excluded from this guarantee as they are not dormant at the time of shipment. Evergreen trees such as citrus, avocado and olive trees are not available for credit under the Dormant Tree and Plant Guarantee. 

Instructions

We guarantee that your dormant fruit tree or plant will leaf out, if you care for it according to our growing guides. In the unlikely event that your dormant tree or plant does not have leaves by May 15th, follow these simple steps to apply for a store credit:

Before you call or email, please perform a “scratch test” to determine if the tree or plant is still alive. This video shows how to check for live tissue under the bark. Scratch tests need to be done a few inches above and below the graft. 

Green Cambium Layer / Living Trees

If the cambium layer under the bark is green, give your tree a little more time. It is still alive, but hasn’t come out of dormancy yet. Check to make sure that it is getting the right amount of deep root water, enough sunlight and that the weather is warm enough for that type of tree/plant to come out of dormancy. Every tree has its own personality and will come out of dormancy at different times. Be sure to submit the required documentation listed below by June 15th, if it doesn’t grow leaves.

Brown Cambium Layer / Dead Trees

If the scratch test shows a brown cambium layer or if your dormant tree/plant doesn’t have leaves by June 1st, please email us at helpdesk@groworganic.com. All required documentation listed below must be received by June 15th for your claim to be considered. To be considered for the guarantee claim, all required documentation must be received by June 15th.  Incomplete submissions will be denied.

Required Documentation

  1. Order number
  2. Name of dormant tree/plant and the quantity affected
  3. Photos of each tree or plant showing: 
    1. The roots (tree or plant must be pulled out of the ground)
    2. The scratch test areas
    3. The entire tree/plant

We reserve the right to not issue credit for items that have already been replaced. We also reserve the right to require photographic evidence that the tree/plant was not killed by root rot, rodent or mechanical damage.

View full details

Customer Reviews

Based on 31 reviews
87%
(27)
6%
(2)
3%
(1)
3%
(1)
0%
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R
Reg
Beautiful young blueberry plants

Ordered 3 and they look healthy. Can’t wait to harvest some berries

T
TeriAnn Wakeman
So far so good

The berries arrived during an unusually wet winter which caused a delay in getting the ground ready to plant so they will start out in a pot. They had obviously been grown in a tube of sorts and came with their soil so as not to harm the tiny feeder roots. Everything looks healthy though not having purchased their berry bushes before are about 1/2 the size I expected. They are a perfect size to transplant into 1 gallon containers. This will let their root systems grow out more and when transplanted will give them an even better chance for an easy start in the soil. I will keep a close eye on them but at this time I think letting them spend a growing season in a gallon pot to build up their root system while giving organic sulfur and bacteria time to do their thing and then transplanting in late fall will work out best. Bottom line is the plants were about half the size I expected but arrived healthy with a good root system & feeder roots intact. No perceived issues.

R
Ryan Walters
Looked promising, but...

Overnight this was the only Blueberry to be eaten.... I am guessing a deer got it???
Such is life. I have 7 other varieties still truckin.
Working on putting fencing around everything

D
David
Fantastic blueberry

Plant arrived earlier this year in great shape. Got it in the garden and it took off. Delicious berries and a healthy plant. Would definitely recommend.

K
Karol
Great plants

We put these in the ground last spring and they have grown quite a bit. They had a few berries on them and we can't wait to see what we get in the coming years! The plants were all healthy and vigorous. The blueberry planting guide and video from Peaceful Valley is very helpful.

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