Blueberry

Blueberry Overview

Vaccinium corymbosum is an upright, deciduous shrub species from the Ericaceae family. Commonly known by the names Blueberry and Highbush Blueberry, amongst others. The Highbush Blueberry grows to medium size; it is indigenous to eastern North America and produces narrowly oval leaves that turn yellow, red and purple shades in autumn. This plant produces beautiful, pinkish-white, bell-shaped flowers which are well suited to both ornamental and kitchen gardens. The flowers lead onto edible, green berry fruits, which ripen to blue-black, termed blueberries. Due to their acid-loving nature, it is best to water them only with rainwater as tap water can have high levels of calcium and chlorine, which can raise the soil's pH. The fruits (berries) of the blueberry plant are commercially cultivated globally; to harvest, they should lift easily from the plant with no resistance. If the fruits do not easily come off the plant, leave them to ripen further. Blueberry has become a household name; it is often used as an ingredient in baking pies. The fruit is also regarded as a superfood and is very high in anti-oxidants!