Highbush Blueberry

'Leaf emergence'

Vaccinium corymbosum

Ericaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · native

Last updated

Highbush blueberry is a broadleaf shrub reaching 6-12 ft with multiple stems and erect form. It produces white or pinkish urn-shaped flowers in May and edible blue fruit. Native range spans Maine to Minnesota south to Florida.

Highbush blueberry is hardy in zones 3a-8b and prefers part shade with wet-tolerant, acidic soil (pH 4.7-7.5). Growth is moderate with medium maintenance; it requires moderate moisture and tolerates wet soil and anaerobic conditions. Over 43 diseases are documented, necessitating careful monitoring.

Plant Profile

Size & Form

Height
6–12 ft
Spread
6 ft
Growth Rate
Moderate
Size at 20 yr
12 ft
Lifespan
Moderate

Site Requirements

Light
Sun to Part Shade
Soil Drainage
Wet Tolerant
Soil pH
4.5-5.5
Water
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Low
Hardiness
Zones 3a–8b

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time
May
Fall Color
Yellow
Origin
Maine to Minnesota, south to Florida
Watch for this season
RustHigh

Uredinial Stage (Summer)

Verticillium WiltHigh

Root Colonization Period

AphidHigh

Peak Population & Dispersal

Armillaria Root RotModerate

Active Below-ground Growth

+ 4 more — see full disease and pest lists below

Diseases: Regionally Documented (38)

Alternaria spp Alternaria Fruit Rot Armillaria spp. — primarily A Armillaria Root Rot Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae Bacterial Canker Botrytis Blight Chemical Injury Rhizobium radiobacter (formerly Agrobacterium tumefaciens) Crown Gall Godronia cassandrae Fusicoccum Canker (Godronia Canker) Incorrect soil pH Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi Mummy Berry Colletotrichum spp. Ripe Rot (Anthracnose) Symptom category — not a single disease Root Rot Multiple genera (Melampsoridium, Thekopsora, Naohidemyces... Rust Blueberry scorch virus (BlScV) Scorch Blueberry shock virus (BlShV) Shock Chondrostereum purpureum Silver Leaf Botryosphaeria corticis Stem Canker Multiple fungal species cause twig blight on different ho... Twig Blight Sporocadus lichenicola Twig Canker Verticillium dahliae Verticillium Wilt Blueberry mosaic virus and related viruses Virus Diseases Gymnosporangium spp. [VERIFY: hosts inconsistent with G Witches' Broom Rust Botryosphaeria spp. Botryosphaeria Fruit Rot and Berry Speckle Abiotic (symptom) Cottonball Phyllosticta cotoneastri (primary); Entomosporium maculat... Early Leaf Spot Cranberry false blossom virus False Blossom Phytophthora cactorum Fruit Rot Phytophthora Root and Runner Rot Pyrenobotrys compacta Pyrenobotrys Leaf Spot Phyllosticta cotoneastri Red Leaf Spot Phytophthora spp. or environmental Red Shoot Rose Bloom Diaporthe vaccinii (asexual: Phomopsis vaccinii) Upright Dieback Abiotic or fungal Leaf Gall Symptom category — not a single disease Leaf Spot Ramorum Blight (Sudden Oak Death) Xiphinema americanum and related species Nematode, Dagger Pratylenchus penetrans (primary) and P Nematode, Root-lesion Paratrichodorus renifer Nematode, Stubby-root

Pests: Regionally Documented (3)

Phenological Calendar

As of June 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2435.5 to 2672.8 GDD₃₂. Highbush Blueberry has passed 'leaf emergence' (1538 GDD₃₂).

Regional Season Tracker

GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 3, 2026
Station GDD₃₂ Current Stage Next To Go
Issaquah / East King 2,673 'Leaf emergence' — —
Kent / Auburn 2,665 'Leaf emergence' — —
Seattle / UW 2,610 'Leaf emergence' — —
Olympia / Tumwater 2,570 'Leaf emergence' — —
Tacoma / Puyallup 2,535 'Leaf emergence' — —
Bellingham / Whatcom 2,533 'Leaf emergence' — —
Sequim / Rain Shadow 2,436 'Leaf emergence' — —
View full calendar (3 stages)
Stage GDD32 Typical Window
'Bud break' BBCH '07' 1068 ''
'Flower buds visible' BBCH '51' 1272 ''
● 'Leaf emergence' BBCH '11' NOW 1538 ''

Source: 'NPN citizen science observations (WA+OR), n=7, median. services.usanpn.org' About GDD₃₂ →

Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 19, 2026, then climate normals.

Cultivars (2)
'Bluecrop'
'Sunshine Blue'
Data Maturity
Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.