Growing to a height and spread of 1.5m with a bushy habit, ‘Pink Lemonade’ is a mid- to late-season blueberry with lovely autumnal leaves which turn a deep red before falling for the winter. 8) V. ‘Top Hat’ For fruits to harvest later in the season, blueberry ‘Aurora’ produces large deep blue berries with a rich flavour from August into September. In a study in 32 obese people with insulin resistance, two blueberry smoothies daily caused major improvements in insulin sensitivity ( 35). Blueberries are small — around 0.2–0.6 inches (5–16 millimeters) in diameter — and feature a flared crown at the end.

With a hardiness rating of H4, it is less hardy than some other blueberry cultivars, so care might be needed if the winter temperatures drop severely. 11) V. corymbosum‘Aurora’ Native to North America, blueberry shrubs produce delicious fruits and beautiful autumnal foliage and can grow well here in the UK’s climate. 1 The history of blueberries: From Native American staple to domesticated superfood. (2019, January 19). University of Illinois. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/garden-scoop/2019-01-19-history-blueberries-native-american-staple-domesticated-superfood Slightly smaller than ’Duke’, blueberry ‘Spartan’ will reach 1.5m in height and spread over time with an upright and bushy habit.More tolerable of soil conditions than others, it can be a good choice for those growing on less-than-ideal ground conditions. 6) V.‘Sunshine Blue’ Producing good size berries with a sweet flavour, it is no wonder it is so commonly grown not only domestically, but commercially as well. A semi-evergreen blueberry shrub, it displays bright pink flowers before fruiting and its foliage provides lovely autumnal interest as the leaves turn purple-red. 7) V.‘Pink Lemonade’ There are Blueberry cultivars more suitable for smaller gardens that grow 0.5m-1m high & wide,” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly.

A mature blueberry bush should comprise about one-third old stems, one-third middle-aged stems and one-third young stems. Research suggests that anthocyanins in blueberries have beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. These anti-diabetes effects have been observed with both fresh and freeze-dried berries ( 32, 33, 34).Blueberry ‘Hortblue Petite’ is rather special as it is a new cultivar that has been bred to crop twice in a growing season. For something totally different, this deciduous blueberry shrub produces blueberries, that are not blue as normal, but pink. Fruiting in July and then September, it will produce delicious dark blue berries on a compact shrub that will only grow to an eventual size of 1m high with a 0.75m spread.

All of the varieties mentioned below must be grown in acidic, loam or sandy soil in full sun or part-shade in a sheltered location. Providing intense autumnal foliage, blueberry ‘Aurora’ has great ornamental qualities before turning dormant for the colder months. References For a dwarf and compact blueberry that is ideal for containers or the patio, blueberry ‘Top Hat’ is perfect as it will only grow to 50cm tall and wide. Pruning is rarely needed in the first two years after planting – just remove any crossing or unwanted branches if necessary. Flowering later than others, but often ripening early, it can be an excellent choice for growing in areas where late frosts can present a problem.

Ice-cream tricycle and dessert stations

Blueberry ‘Spartan’ is another popular variety which, unlike its name suggests, produces good crops. Perhaps one of the most readily available blueberries, ‘Duke’ is one of the larger cultivars that can grow to an eventual height of up to 2.5m. Blueberry ‘Pink Lemonade’ is a new self-fertile cultivar introduced from North America that produces pink flowers followed by pink blueberries which are firm with a delicious and mild flavour. Blueberry ‘Sunshine Blue’ will have an eventual size of only 1m high and half as wide, making it ideal for growing in smaller spaces or containers.