Austin Blueberry

The Austin Blueberry is a top-rated variety for the southeast, of the rabbit-eye type, with excellent growth in areas with hot and humid summers. The medium-large berries are classic deep blue with a white bloom, and they ripen during June. You will be harvesting your first berries within a couple of years, and mature bushes can give 25 pounds of berries. The spring blooms of white bells and the vibrant fall colors or red and orange make it fit perfectly into your garden beds, or you can plant it as a hedge, or in a part of the garden just for fruit bushes. If you don’t have the necessary acid-soil, grow it in a large tub.

• Top choice for gardeners in the southeast
• Medium-large berries with great flavor
• Attractive spring blooms fit right into your garden
• Terrific fall colors of reds and oranges
• A mature bush yields up to 25 pounds of berries

Full sun is best for the Austin Blueberry, if you want a big crop. It will also take a couple of hours of shade each day. It needs just 500 chilling hours, so it grows well in hot regions with short, mild winters. Plant in moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil should have a pH value of 5.5 or less, and if you don’t have that, the solution is to plant it in a container. Water regularly during dry periods, and mulch in spring and fall. Pests and diseases are rarely an issue. Prune older plants in early spring to keep them vigorous.