Blueberry Duke

Blueberry Duke is a Northern Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) variety, renowned for its early crops of large, firm, and mildly sweet-flavoured berries. Well-suited for the South Island's cooler climates, it requires a higher number of chilling hours. This cultivar flowers in mid-spring and produces good crops of light-blue berries from November to December.

Ideal for edible landscapes, berry patches, and mixed shrub borders, Blueberry Duke thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, acidic soil with consistent summer moisture. For successful pollination and abundant fruiting, plant it alongside other Northern Highbush varieties. This robust cultivar fits perfectly in cottage gardens, modern landscapes, and container gardening due to its attractive appearance.

Position Blueberry Duke in a sunny spot to maximize fruit production, with soil rich in organic matter that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged. Space plants 1.5 to 2 metres apart for optimal growth and air circulation.

Maturing to a height of about 1.5 to 2 metres, Blueberry Duke forms an upright, bushy habit. Its dark green foliage turns a stunning red in autumn.