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Highbush blueberry

How to identify Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Highbush blueberry, also known as Swamp blueberry, Tall huckleberry

Highbush blueberry is characterized as an upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that reaches a height of 8 to 15 feet (2.4 to 4.6 meters). It exhibits a slow growth habit. This plant displays a dense cluster of branches and is notable for its lush foliage that turns fiery in autumn. It bears a seasonal profusion of small, bell-shaped flowers that eventually develop into edible berries. The leaves are oval and have fine-toothed margins, contributing to its ornamental appeal.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Highbush blueberry

1

Deciduous shrub reaching 8-15 feet (2.4-4.6 meters) with lush, fiery autumn foliage.

2

Pink or white bell-shaped flowers, 0.25-0.5 inches (0.6-1.3 cm), fragrant and clustered.

3

Edible berries, 0.3-0.5 inches (7.5-12.7 mm), green to blue-purple ripening.

4

Oval to elliptical leaves, 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm), with colorful fall display.

5

Smooth, glabrous stems, 0.2-0.4 inches (5-10 mm), vibrant winter colors.

Highbush blueberryHighbush blueberryHighbush blueberryHighbush blueberryHighbush blueberry

Detailed Traits of Highbush blueberry

Leaf Features

The leaves of highbush blueberry initially appear reddish-green in spring, transitioning to blue-green in summer with lighter undersides. They are oval to elliptical, typically 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm) long, with smooth margins and a glossy texture. The leaves display a prominent central vein, with additional subtle veins radiating outward. In fall, the foliage exhibits a striking array of red, yellow, orange, and purple hues, contributing to the plant's ornamental appeal.

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Highbush blueberry Leaf Arrangement image
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Flower Features

The flowers of highbush blueberry are delicate, bell-shaped, and predominantly pink or white. They typically measure around 0.25 to 0.5 inches (0.6 to 1.3 cm) in length and are arranged in clusters. Each flower possesses a subtle yet pleasant fragrance. The petals are fused, creating the characteristic bell shape. Flowering occurs from March to May, highlighting the plant’s early spring blooming period. These blossoms are crucial for early pollinators and add a dainty elegance to the plant.

Highbush blueberry Flower imageHighbush blueberry Flower image
Inflorescence Type

Raceme

Highbush blueberry Inflorescence Type image
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Stem Features

The stem of highbush blueberry is glabrous, showcasing a smooth surface. During the winter months, it exhibits a striking color range from yellow-green to reddish. The stems are moderately thick, typically around 0.2 to 0.4 inches (5 to 10 mm) in diameter, and exhibit a branching pattern that is often clustered. These vibrant colors and smooth texture are distinguishing features that aid in identifying highbush blueberry.

Highbush blueberry Stem imageHighbush blueberry Stem image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of highbush blueberry is a small, round berry typically measuring 0.3 to 0.5 inches (7.5 to 12.7 mm) in diameter. As it matures, the fruit transitions from a green color to a pinkish hue, finally achieving a deep blue to purple shade at full ripeness. These berries have a smooth, glossy exterior and contain numerous tiny seeds inside. Harvested in August, the edible fruits have a distinctive sweet flavor, which is a treat to both humans and wildlife. It’s noteworthy that female plants need a counterpart to produce these fruits.

Highbush blueberry Fruit imageHighbush blueberry Fruit image
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Highbush blueberry and Their Similar Plants

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Lowbush blueberry vs. Highbush blueberry: What's The Difference?
Lowbush blueberry (*Vaccinium angustifolium*) is a blueberry shrub native to Canada. Its fruits, or blueberries, are a very important edible berry and are normally packaged frozen. They are made into jams, preserves, syrups, ice cream, pies, and juices. Lowbush blueberry attracts honey bees and other pollinators.
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Farkleberry vs. Highbush blueberry: What's The Difference?
Farkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) is a deciduous shrub that grows from 3.5 to 8 m tall. Its fragrant tiny bell-shaped flowers blossom from spring to summer followed by shiny inedible bluish-black berries. The dark green leaves of this small tree turn deep red in fall. It thrives in partial shade and attracts butterflies birds and mammals.
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Hillside Blueberry vs. Highbush blueberry: What's The Difference?
Hillside Blueberry is a wild blueberry native to central and eastern North America, frequently found along roadsides and in the woods. This easy-to-grow perennial shrub produces large amounts of lightly sweet berries that can be eaten raw or in pies, preserves, and jams. Also, it is a popular food source for a range of wildlife.
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Deerberry vs. Highbush blueberry: What's The Difference?
Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum) is a deciduous shrub that’s native to North America. Its fruit is so devastatingly sour that it must be sweetened before human beings find it palatable. However, deer don’t mind the bitter taste and love to feast on it.
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Elliott's blueberry vs. Highbush blueberry: What's The Difference?
Elliott's blueberry (Vaccinium elliottii) is a plant species that yields plump, juicy blueberries that are approximately 1.3 cm wide. Its flowers are fuchsia. Elliott's blueberry grows on the coastal plains of the southeastern United States.
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Rabbiteye blueberry vs. Highbush blueberry: What's The Difference?
Vaccinium virgatum is commonly known as rabbiteye blueberry as it's a species of blueberry. The plant itself is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 91 to 183 cm tall with a spread of up to 91 cm. The spirally-arranged leaves develop into dark green and tend to be 8 cm long. It bears berries as fruit which is often 5 mm in diameter. The berries this plant produces are edible and routinely used for sauces and syrups.
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Large cranberry vs. Highbush blueberry: What's The Difference?
Vaccinium macrocarpon (also called large cranberry, American cranberry and bearberry) is a North American species of cranberry of the subgenus Oxycoccus and genus Vaccinium.
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Shiny blueberry vs. Highbush blueberry: What's The Difference?
The undersides are glandular. The flowers are urn-shaped or cylindrical, white to pink or red-tinged, and borne in clusters of up to 8. They may be nearly one centimeter long. The fruit is a black or waxy blue berry up to 8 millimeters or 9 millimeters in length containing several seeds.
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Key Facts About Highbush blueberry

Attributes of Highbush blueberry
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Shrub
Plant Height
1.8 m to 3.5 m
Spread
1.8 m to 3.5 m
Leaf Color
Green
Red
Yellow
Purple
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Flower Color
White
Pink
Fruit Color
Blue
Green
Black
Purple
Lavender
Pink
Stem Color
Green
Red
Yellow
Burgundy
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Highbush blueberry

Family
Heath
Icon allow
Species
Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
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Distribution Map of Highbush blueberry

Highbush blueberry is native to Eastern North America. It was introduced to a few countries in Europea. The plant enjoys the damp conditions of water margins, forested bogs, and sandy swamps.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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