Sharpblue Southern Highbush Blueberry

Sharpblue is a vigorous, low-chill southern highbush blueberry developed for mild-winter climates. It produces light-blue, mild sweet berries early in the season and can retain some foliage through warm winters. Although self-fertile, it generally sets a heavier crop with larger berries when planted near another compatible southern highbush cultivar. Give it full sun, acidic organic soil with excellent drainage, consistent moisture, and frost awareness because its very early flowers can be damaged by late cold snaps. Available for local pickup from Towns Edge Nursery.

Plant details

• Botanical name: Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid 'Sharpblue'
• Sun: Full sun; light afternoon shade can reduce heat stress
• USDA zones: 7–10
• Mature size: 5–6 ft tall × 4–6 ft wide
• Chill requirement: Low chill; commonly listed near 150–250 hours
• Pollination: Self-fertile, but another compatible southern highbush cultivar improves fruit set and berry size
• Bloom: Very early spring; flowers can be vulnerable to late freezes
• Harvest: Early season; often late spring in warm climates
• Fruit: Medium-sized light-blue berries with mild sweet flavor; long bearing season in mild climates
• Water: Consistent moisture in acidic, organic, very well-drained soil
• Growth habit: Upright, vigorous southern highbush shrub; may be semi-evergreen in mild winters
• Pruning and training: Minimal pruning while young; later remove weak and oldest unproductive canes after harvest or during dormancy
• Uses: Edible garden, berry patch, pollinator planting, informal hedge
• Wildlife value: Excellent bee forage in bloom; fruit attracts birds

Plant size, harvest timing and performance vary with climate, rootstock where applicable, soil, pruning and care.