Choosing The Right Blueberry Variety To Grow

Several large, ripe blueberries shown on a mature blueberry plant with bright green leaves.

Ripe Blueberries On Plant

Photo by Nadia Prigoda-Lee

Northern Michigan: Home Of The Blueberry Bush

Blueberry plants like it here in Northern Michigan. They are a popular, easy to grow fruit that can be a wonderful addition to any backyard. Choosing the right blueberry variety to grow in your space is key to having a large fruit harvest at the end of the season. Check out our options below to learn more about the blueberry varieties we offer here at Bright Lane Gardens.

We have a few affiliate links down at the bottom of this post! I only put links in when I’ve tried and loved a product. We have been using these products on our blueberry bushes for years and I can’t say enough great things about them. Thanks for reading!

Our Top Selling Blueberry Varieties:

Powderblue:

Powderblue blueberries, also known as Vaccinium ashei ‘Powderblue,’ possess distinct characteristics that make them a sought-after variety among blueberry enthusiasts. These medium-sized berries feature a captivating powdery blue color, hence their name, which adds an appealing visual element to any garden or fruit basket. Powderblue blueberries are known for their exceptional flavor, striking a delightful balance between sweetness and tanginess. Their firm texture lends itself well to various culinary applications, including baking, cooking, or simply enjoying them fresh. These blueberries are typically larger than some other varieties, making them a favorite for those who appreciate substantial fruit size. Furthermore, the Powderblue cultivar is favored for its excellent disease resistance and overall hardiness, making it a reliable and low-maintenance option for home gardeners and commercial growers alike. This bush is a vigorous grower and a high producer of fruit. Powderblue is an excellent choice for Northern Michigan due to its winter hardiness and its resistance to many pests and diseases.

To view purchasing options for Powderblue blueberries, click here!

Top Hat:

Top Hat was developed by the Michigan State Experiment Station of Michigan State University (Go Green)! This variety is perfect for container gardening. The plant stays very compact in size, typically maxing out around 2 feet wide and 2-3 feet tall. Top Hat produces firm and flavorful fruits that you’ll want to eat right off the bush! The berries themselves tend to stay smaller in size but have a wonderfully sweet taste. The small berry size makes them a wonderful option for baking pies and tarts! Top Hat is an early ripening variety, with fruit production typically starting in August.

To view purchasing options for Top Hat blueberry bushes, click here!

Pink Lemonade:

These blueberries are pink!! They make a beautiful addition to any fruit garden or container garden. In terms of flavor, Pink Lemonade blueberries offer a delightful combination of sweetness and tartness. They possess a tangy profile that is slightly more acidic compared to traditional blueberries, providing a refreshing and zesty taste experience. The unique flavor and vibrant color of Pink Lemonade blueberries make them a versatile ingredient in various culinary applications, including desserts, beverages, and salads. Pink Lemonade blueberries are ready for harvest around the same time as Blueray blueberries, making them an early ripener!

Click here to view purchasing options for Pink Lemonade blueberries!

Climax:

Climax blueberries, or Vaccinium ashei ‘Climax,’ stand out for their remarkable qualities. With a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, their exceptional flavor captivates taste buds. These berries impress with their impressive size, providing a satisfying bite of juicy goodness. Additionally, their firm and crisp texture makes them versatile for various culinary creations. Climax blueberries boast high productivity, yielding abundant harvests, while their adaptability and resilience make them suitable for a wide range of climates. Overall, the top qualities of Climax blueberries lie in their exquisite flavor, generous size, versatile texture, bountiful productivity, and adaptability, making them a popular choice for blueberry enthusiasts and growers alike. Climax blueberries are ready for harvest in August, around the same time as Blue Crop.

To view purchasing options for Climax blueberries, click here!

Blueberry Harvest Timeframe, by Variety

Blueberry Harvest Timeframe Graph

All Blueberries Need Good Soil

High quality soil with a lot of organic material is perfect for growing blueberries! There are a few things you’ll want to invest in if you want to plant blueberries that will grow for many years. We recommend the following:

  • Garden soil rich in organic matter (such as dried leaves, pine needles, or mulch)
  • Organic compost
  • Espoma Organic Peat Moss (See photo below, we use this peat moss on literally EVERYTHING!)
  • Espoma Berry Tone Fertilizer (We use this fertilizer on all of our berry plants, and have been very impressed by our yields!)
Light and fluffy Espoma organic peat moss in my hand, pictured in front of freshly potted blueberry plants.

Grow Your Own Blueberries!

Now that you’ve learned more about the different varieties of blueberries that grow well in Northern Michigan, it’s time to give it a try! While the thought of growing your own blueberries might sound complicated, I promise you it is easier than you may think. We’ve assembled an easy-to-follow blueberry growing guide that can be useful for beginners and experienced growers alike! 

Interested in growing more fruit? We sell several types of berry plants and fruit trees that are built to grow in Northern Michigan. From raspberries and blackberries, to strawberries and peach trees, we’ve got you covered for fruit. You can build your own produce section right in your backyard! Check out our sales selection starting Mothers’ Day Weekend each year!

Choosing The Right Blueberry Variety To Grow

Several large, ripe blueberries shown on a mature blueberry plant with bright green leaves.

Ripe Blueberries On Plant

Photo by Nadia Prigoda-Lee

Northern Michigan: Home Of The Blueberry Bush

Blueberry plants like it here in Northern Michigan. They are a popular, easy to grow fruit that can be a wonderful addition to any backyard. Choosing the right blueberry variety to grow in your space is key to having a large fruit harvest at the end of the season. Check out our options below to learn more about the blueberry varieties we offer here at Bright Lane Gardens.

Our Top Selling Blueberry Varieties:

Elliot:

This late season berry is the last to ripen out of our berry options. Typically producing the first fruits in mid September, Elliot will fruit for 4+ weeks up until the first frost.  The fruit is medium size, firm light blue and has a great flavor. This bush is a vigorous grower and a high producer of fruit. Eliot is an excellent choice for Northern Michigan due to its winter hardiness.

Top Hat:

Top Hat was developed by the Michigan State Experiment Station of Michigan State University (Go Green)! This variety is perfect for container gardening. The plant stays very compact in size, typically maxing out around 2 feet wide and 2-3 feet tall. Top Hat produces firm and flavorful fruits that you’ll want to eat right off the bush! Top Hat is an early ripening variety, with fruit production typically starting in August. 

Blue Crop:

This variety ripens earlier in the season, usually by mid to late August. The Blue Crop fruit is large with small scar, has excellent color, firmness and flavor. Its foliage is somewhat sparse but production is great. This variety is a high producer with a lot of sweetness. Blue Crop is a popular choice for making jams, pies, and other preservation

Blueray:

Blueray was rated one of the top blueberries to grow in Michigan! This best seller produces very large fruit, similar to that which you would find at the grocery store. The berries are bright and firm, but often need to be eaten shortly after harvesting as the firmness is short-lived. The taste, however, cannot be beat! Blueray is a mid-season producer, with harvesting typically starting in late August. Whether you plan to eat the firm, fresh berries after picking, or use the softer berries for jams and pies, you won’t regret adding this plant to your backyard.

Blueberry Harvest Timeframe, by Variety

Blueberry Harvest Timeframe Graph

Grow Your Own Blueberries!

Now that you’ve learned more about the different varieties of blueberries that grow well in Northern Michigan, it’s time to give it a try! While the thought of growing your own blueberries might sound complicated, I promise you it is easier than you may think. We’ve assembled an easy-to-follow blueberry growing guide that can be useful for beginners and experienced growers alike! 

Interested in growing more fruit? We sell several types of berry plants and fruit trees that are built to grow in Northern Michigan. From raspberries and blackberries, to strawberries and peach trees, we’ve got you covered for fruit. You can build your own produce section right in your backyard! Check out our sales selection starting Mothers’ Day Weekend each year!