About Zone 9 Blueberries
Native to eastern North America, blueberries fit perfectly into zone 9 landscapes. The rabbiteye blueberry, Vaccinium ashei, can be found in river valleys in northern Florida and southeastern Georgia. In fact, there are at least eight native Vaccinium species found growing in the woods and swamps of Florida. Rabbiteye blueberries can be grown in zones 7 to 9 and can grow to over 10 feet (3 m.) in height. Then there are the highbush blueberries. They require winter’s cold temps. Most highbush varieties grow in colder climates, but there are southern varieties that work well as blueberry bushes for zone 9 gardeners. These southern highbush varieties grow in zones 7 to 10 and grow upright to heights of between 5 and 6 feet (1.5-2 m.). The earliest ripening southern highbush varieties ripen around four to six weeks earlier than the earliest rabbiteye types of berries. Both types of hot weather blueberry plants need another plant for cross pollination. That is, you need another southern highbush to pollinate a southern highbush and another rabbiteye to pollinate a rabbiteye. Blueberries in zone 9 can be used in cluster plantings, as specimen plants, or as hedges. They make a lovely addition to the landscape almost year-round, with their delicate white flowers in the spring, their bright blue fruit during the summer, and the changing colors of their foliage in the fall. Another bonus for the gardener is their resistance to most diseases and insect pests. All blueberries like their soil acidic. They have fine surface roots that you should avoid disturbing when cultivating around them. They need full sun, well-draining soil and consistent irrigation for the best fruit production.
Types of Blueberry Bushes for Zone 9
Rabbiteye blueberries may be early, mid, or late season, depending upon the variety. Early season rabbiteyes have the potential for damage due to possible late spring freezes, so to be really safe, choose a mid to late season rabbiteye if sudden late freezes are common in your region. Mid and late season rabbiteye cultivars include Brightwell, Chaucer, Powderblue, and Tifblue. Southern highbush blueberries were developed by crossing northern highbush varieties with wild blueberries native to the southeastern United States. Southern highbush blueberries include the following:
Bluecrisp Emerald Gulf Coast Jewel Millenia Misty Santa Fe Sapphire Sharpblue Southmoon Star Windsor
