Vaccimium Virgatum Tifblue Blueberry #3

Why not grow your own "superfood" right in the backyard?

If you ask any old-timer in the Piedmont which blueberry to plant, 9 out of 10 will say "Tifblue." It’s the classic "Rabbiteye" blueberry. We love it because it is an absolute producer. It doesn't just give you a handful of berries to sprinkle on your oatmeal; a mature Tifblue can produce gallons of fruit in a season. The berries are medium-sized, light blue, and have that perfect sweet-tart balance that makes them great for pies, jams, or just eating straight off the bush.

This is important for our King and Winston-Salem gardeners: 'Tifblue' is a Rabbiteye variety, not a Highbush. Why does that matter? Highbush blueberries often struggle in our intense summer heat and heavy clay, but Rabbiteyes like 'Tifblue' were born for it. They are tough, vigorous, and handle our soil much better. 

Crucial Note: 'Tifblue' is not self-fertile. You must plant it with another Rabbiteye variety (like 'Powderblue' or 'Premier') to get fruit. If you plant just one, you’ll have a nice bush, but no berries.

Why We Recommend It:

• The Heavy Yielder: There’s a reason this is the industry standard for commercial growers in the South. It is incredibly productive. Once established, you’ll likely have enough berries to freeze for winter (and enough to share with the birds, though we recommend netting if you want to keep them all!).

• Landscaping: Even if it never grew a single berry, we’d still recommend it as a landscape shrub. It has attractive blue-green foliage in the summer, and in the fall, the leaves turn a brilliant, fiery red. It rivals the Burning Bush for autumn color.

• Built for the Heat: Unlike the delicate northern varieties that wither when the temperature hits 95°F, 'Tifblue' just keeps growing. It’s drought-tolerant once established and generally pest-free in our area.

Best Used For:

• Home orchards (plant rows of them!).

• Edible hedges (they get tall enough to screen a view).

• Mixed shrub borders.

• Background planting (put them behind your smaller perennials).

The Specs:

• Growth Rate: Fast.

• Mature Size: 6–10 ft. tall and 4–6 ft. wide (can be pruned to keep smaller).

• Sun: Full Sun (essential for maximum fruit production).

• Soil: Acidic, well-drained soil. (Add plenty of peat moss or pine bark when planting—blueberries love acid!).

Ready for a harvest?

Read more about growing blueberries at the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox, or come see us at Mitchell's, where we can help you pick out the perfect "pollinator partner" for your Tifblue so you get the best harvest possible!