Introduction

Save Money by Growing Your Own Blueberries!

Easy to grow
Produces Lots of Blueberries!
Berries are sweet and juicy
Vigorous growers

Description

The Premier Blueberry is a variety from the Rabbiteye family. The Rabbiteye blueberry is classified as a vigorously fruit bearing plant that is naturally heat tolerant. Because of its ability to tolerate heat and its susceptibility to cold climates, the Rabbiteye blueberry is well suited for planting in the Southeastern US.

The Premier Blueberry bush is a fruit producing bush that yields early in the season with a large harvest of large, dark blue berries. Blooming in February to early March, this blueberry will be covered in tiny white or pink flowers. The Premier will produce ripe fruit from May to June in the southern growing region. The Premier Blueberry bush can reach an astounding size. Generally growing 6-8 ft. tall, this plant will provide an abundance of blueberries year after year.

This blueberry bush can be planted in partial shade to full sun, but is recommended to plant in full sun to obtain the highest possible fruit yield. When planted in full sun, ensure that the plant receives regular water to avoid allowing the soil to dry out. Many blueberry varieties are self-fruiting; however, the Premier Blueberry requires cross pollination to produce fruit. Below are some recommendations for the most effective cross pollinators.

Blueberries can be categorized as a super fruit. High in vitamin C, antioxidants, and low in calories; blueberries are a great snack that are highly beneficial to your health. The Premier blueberry bush produces firm berries that are sweet and juicy. The fruit can be enjoyed raw, or used in baking and jelly production. For a fruit bearing plant that remains stable and faithful for years to come, the Premier blueberry bush will meet your needs.


Brightwell Climax

Blueberry Comparison Chart - Not Self-Fertile

Premier

7-9

May - June

Large Berries, light blue color, and excellent flavor

Yes

Brightwell, Climax

Climax

7-9

May - June

Medium sized berries and sweet flavor

Yes

Brightwell, Premier, Tifblue, Powderblue

Tifblue

7-9

June - July

Medium sized berries, light blue color, sweet and tart flavor

Yes

Brightwell, Climax, Premier, Powderblue

Powderblue

7-9

June - July

Medium-large sized berries. Light blue color and sweet flavor

Yes

Tifblue, Brightwell, Climax, Premier

Brightwell

7-10

June - July

Medium-large sized berries. Light blue color and sweet flavor

Yes

Climax, Premier, Tifblue, Powderblue

Pink Lemonade

4-8

July - August

Medium-large sized berries. Pink color and sweet flavor

No but recommended for higher yield

Any

Georgia Gem

7-9

May - June

Medium sized berries, sweet flavor with a hint of tart

No but recommended for higher yield

Any

Jersey

4-7

August

Medium-large sized berries. Dark blue & sweet

No but recommended for higher yield

Any

Blueray

4-7

July

Extra-large berries. Blue & very sweet

No but recommended for higher yield

Any

Triple Berry

7-9

May-July

Medium sized berries and sweet flavor

No

Any

Toro

4-7

June - August

Large sized berries and sweet flavor

No but recommended for higher yield

Any

Bluecrop

7-9

July

Produces big clusters of large, all-purpose berries

No but recommended for higher yield

Any

How To Care

When planting your Premier Blueberry be sure to choose the right location and conditions for your new plant to thrive. Spring and Fall are ideal times to plant. However, if you avoid extreme temperatures you can plant your Blueberry almost any time of the year.

Blueberry shrubs thrive in full sun and well-drained, moist, acidic soil. If you have alkaline soil, be sure to amend your soil. To acidify your soil amend with compost, elemental sulfur, or use fertilizers specific for acid loving plants. Mulching with pine straw or pine bark will help over time as they begin to break down, but are not an immediate solution. To improve drainage in something like a heavy clay soil, add compost and be sure to loosen up the soil well before planting. Water deeply when planting and 2-3 times weekly for 3 months while your Blueberry plant is establishing. During the growing and fruiting seasons, a blueberry will do best if the soil is kept moist. Adding a layer of 2 to 3 inches of mulch is highly recommended for Blueberry bushes. Mulching helps to maintain soil moisture and gives added protection during extreme temperatures. Fertilize in spring with a balanced, slow release fertilizer like 10-10-10, preferably for acid loving plants. Bluberries grown in containers will need fertilized 3 or 4 times per year during the growing season as nutrients leech out of the pot when you water. Prune your Blueberries in late winter to remove any dead, dying, or crowded branches and to maintain size. The Premier variety requires a pollinator, like Tifblue, to produce a good crop of berries.

The best way to prevent disease and pests is by providing the appropriate care for your plants. Proper location choice, watering, and fertilization are the keys to your success. The biggest pests of blueberries is birds. You can put up bird netting to protect your crop. If positioned properly, this is an extemely effective deterrent. Most insect pests feed on the leaves of blueberries. You can treat most of these pests naturally with horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap. Blueberry Bushes can occasionally encounter fungal issues. Generally, treating after infection isn't extremely effective, so if you have problems yearly treat in early spring with fungicides to prevent infection. Neem Oil is an organic method of treating and preventing some fungal diseases and pests. The entire shrub must be coated in order for this method to be effective.

Landscape Ideas

The Premier Blueberry bush makes for a great landscaping shrub. With multi season interest, it will thrive and looks great as an addition to your landscaping. Use it as a privacy shrub or even as a nice hedge. It looks great included in a mass planting or even by itself. Plant it in a pot as a beautiful addition to a patio!

For additional options, be sure to browse our Dwarf Tree and Fruit Trees collections.