Vaccinium corymbosum 'Sweetheart' (early-season)
Sweetheart Blueberry, Sweetheart Highbush Blueberry, Early-season Blueberry
- Main interest:
- early-season fruiting variety, everbearing (2 crops a year) in milder climate, exceptionally sweet berries, fall colour
- Exposure:
- full sun
- Soil humidity:
- moist soil; well drained
- Flower colour:
- pink-tinged white
- Fragrance:
- Non-fragrant
- Flowering period:
- April to May
- Foliage:
- dark green
- USDA Hardiness:
- zone 4a: -34.5 °C (-30 °F) View Zone Map
- Mature height & width (max.):
- height: 6 ft (1.8 m) width: 4 ft (1.2 m)
- Use:
- fruit production, edible garden, pollinator garden, hedge, planter, woodland garden, specimen
Sweetheart Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum 'Sweetheart') is a medium sized, upright shrub with glossy dark green foliage that turns brilliant shades of red in the fall. Growing 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, Sweetheart Highbush Blueberry makes a wonderful hedge when massed, addition to a mixed border, or a large container.
Small, white, bell-shaped flowers that are flushed pink bloom in April-May. They are followed by sweet, edible fruit in late spring/early summer, which attract birds and wildlife. Sweetheart early-season Blueberry is a heavy producer, bearing up to 15 pounds per plant! In mild climates, it could be considered an "Everbearing Blueberry" as it will produce a second, lighter harvest of berries in late summer.
'Sweeheart' is a self-pollinating cultivar, it doesn't require cross-pollination to set fruit. However, planting another early-season variety nearby (such as 'Duke'), will likely improve the amount and size of the berries.
Hardy to USDA zone 4a, it has no serious disease or pest problems. Sweetheart Northern Highbush Blueberry will grow best in full sun in cooler northern climates, and prefers a protected area. It requires 750 to 800 chill hours.
$15.99
Synonym(s): Vaccinium 'Sweetheart'
Also known as: Northern Highbush Blueberry, Early-season Highbush Blueberry, Everbearing Blueberry, Everbearing Highbush Blueberry, Northern Blueberry, American Blueberry, Swamp Blueberry