Blueberry (Blueray)

Description

Blueray is an early-ripening Northern Highbush blueberry that brings generous harvests of large, sweet berries just ahead of many mid-season varieties. If you’re looking to start your blueberry season strong with dependable production and classic flavor, Blueray delivers.

The berries are noticeably large with balanced sweetness and mild acidity — ideal for fresh eating, baking, and freezing. Blueray is known for setting extremely heavy crops, often loading its branches with fruit in early summer. With proper pruning, it rewards growers with consistent performance year after year.

Overview

• Type: Northern Highbush
• Fruit Size: Large
• Flavor: Classic sweet blueberry with mild acidity
• Texture: Moderately firm
• Ripening Season: Early to mid-season
• Productivity: Very heavy yielding
• Growth Habit: Vigorous, upright spreading bush

Growing Details

Latin Name: Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Blueray’

Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; requires acidic, well-drained soil (ideal pH 4.5–5.5)

Chill Requirement: Approximately 800–1000 hours

Hardiness: USDA Zone 4–8

Rootstock: Own-root (propagated from cuttings)

Bearing Age: Often fruits right away or within the first season; full production typically 3–5 years

Size at Maturity: 5–6 ft tall and wide

Bloom Time: Mid-spring

Ripening Time: Early to mid-season; typically early summer depending on region

Pollination: Self-fertile; yields improve with another Northern Highbush variety nearby

Additional Notes

• Grower’s Insight: Blueray is known for extremely heavy fruit set. Annual pruning is important to maintain berry size and plant vigor, as mature bushes can overproduce if left unmanaged.
• Regional Insight: Performs reliably in cooler northern climates including the Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes region, and Northeast. In low-chill or very hot southern regions, productivity may decline.
• Blueberries require acidic soil for long-term success. In neutral or alkaline soils, planting in amended beds or large containers with acidified mix can dramatically improve performance.
• Explore more blueberry varieties in our collection: Blueberries