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BLUEBERRY VARIETY CHART - SOUTHERN HIGHBUSH

Northern Highbush | Southern Highbush | Rabbiteyes

	FRUIT			BUSH	CHILLING
Variety	Season	Size	Qualities	Habit	Hours Required
Southern Highbush Snowchaser US Plant Patent Pending	Extremely Early		Medium Blue Firm Good Flavor	Rounded Medium Vigor
Snowchaser is the earliest ripening Southern cultivar, ripening 15 to 20 days before Star in Florida. For California, this could mean harvest in April for early regions if the relative ripening times hold true. With its very low chill requirement it has a tendency to fall-fl ower, and also bloom quite early in the spring. Springhigh, Primadonna and Emerald are anticipated to be the best pollination companions. Although just medium size, we have been quite impressed with the berry quality and fl avor. Even though Snowchaser is unproven in the West, we recommend it in limited commercial plantings for growers positioning in the earliest market window. Fall Creek™ is licensed to sell Snowchaser throughout the United States and is the exclusive licensed nursery for the western states.
Southern Highbush Primadonna US Plant Patent Pending	Very Early		Medium Blue Firm Excellent Flavor	Rounded Medium Vigor
Primadonna was named for its unpredictable response to environmental and management conditions in Central Florida. It was released because when it performs, the variety is one of the best for quality and early ripening. The issues with Primadonna involve diffi culty with spring leafing if the bush defoliates in the winter. We are introducing the variety to California for grower trial and recommend growers use evergreen techniques rather than defoliation. As with other Florida varieties, leafi ng and plant performance may be enhanced with the drier climate and higher chill of California. If this proves true, Primadonna may become the leading early variety in the lineup with Snowchaser and Springhigh. Fall Creek™ is licensed to sell Primadonna throughout the United States and is the exclusive licensed nursery for the western states.
Southern Highbushh Springhigh US Plant Patent 16404	Very Early		Dark Blue Medium Firm Pleasant Flavor	Upright Highly Vigorous
Springhigh adds to the “super-early” collection, reaching 50% ripe about nine days before the mean for Jewell and Star. The large, fl avorful, berries tend to be dark in color, similar to Oneal, and should be harvested when just ripe to retain fi rmness. Springhigh is recommended for trial and limited commercial planting where the earliest fresh markets are targeted. Fall Creek™ is licensed to sell Springhigh throughout the United States and is the exclusive licensed nursery for the western states.
Southern Highbush Rebel US Plant Patent Pending	Very Early		Light Blue Firm Mild Flavor	Spreading Vigorous
Rebel is a new release from the University of Georgia breeding program. It has gained interest in Georgia due to its strong growth and reliable early harvest, ripening 6-8 days before Star. Production with young plants has been very good, surpassing Star. The main question with Rebel has been with its fl avor, as the berries can become quite bland if allowed to hang on the bush too long. We recommend Rebel for trial in California to test its performance in the West.
Southern Highbush Star US Plant Patent 10675	Early		Medium Blue Sweet Outstanding Quality	Upright Moderately Vigorous
Star is currently the leading southern cultivar. It is strong growing, has dependable berry quality and ease of hand harvest, with most berries removed in the fi rst two pickings. Drawbacks with Star are the susceptibility to botrytis during wet springs and fruit cracking with heavy rains during ripening. Recommended for commercial planting wherever Southern Highbush can be grown. Fall Creek™ is licensed to sell Star throughout the United States and is the exclusive licensed nursery for the western states.
Southern Highbush Palmetto US Plant Patent 16756	Early		Medium Dark Unique Flavor	Upright Medium Vigor
If flavor and aroma are of paramount importance, this 2003 University of Georgia release should be considered for trialing. Early observations in California show Palmetto to be of medium vigor, ripening with Star. Berry scar and fi rmness are acceptable if harvested on time. Yields have been promising, but care must be taken when pruning as the individual branches can easily over produce, resulting in smaller fruit. More testing must be done to determine its market niche, but Palmetto could be a hit with direct market growers seeking something special for fl avor.
Southern Highbush Oneal	Early		Medium Blue Firm Very Sweet	Upright Medium Vigor
Oneal has been planted extensively in California, Chile and Argentina, and is still a leading variety in its home state of North Carolina. Recently, its popularity has waned as newer varieties have been introduced. Good cultural practices are needed for optimum performance, but once established; yields have kept pace with other Southern Highbush. Growers and sellers would agree that Oneal is one of the best fl avored berries, with exceptionally reliable quality throughout the harvest.
Southern Highbush Jewel US Plant Patent 11807	Early-Mid		Light Blue Slightly Tart Flavor	Upright Highly Vigorous
Jewell has become one of the leading varieties in California due to its site adaptability, exceptional growth, record yields and large quality fruit. First harvest is usually a few days after Star and lasts around four weeks. It should be planted with other midseason varieties for best pollination. Jewel is recommended for commercial production in areas of low to medium chill where early, high quality fruit is desired. Fall Creek™ is licensed to sell Jewel throughout the United States and is the exclusive licensed nursery for the western states.
Southern Highbush Abundance US Plant Patent 16476	Early-Mid		Medium Blue Crisp Firmness Excellent Flavor	Upright Highly Vigorous
Abundance is a new early-midseason release from the Florida program, selected for its very high production and vigorous, upright growth. Plants of Abundance leaf out strongly in the spring enabling them to carry a very large crop and still size and ripen the fruit. Abundance re-grows vigorously after post-harvest hedging, indicating good adaptability for mechanical pruning. Abundance may have potential for mechanical harvesting as it presents the crispy-textured berries in long, exposed clusters with concentrated ripening, similar to the best of the Northern Highbush. Abundance is highly recommended for trials and limited commercial plantings as an improved early-midseason variety. Fall Creek™ is licensed to sell Abundance throughout the United States and is the exclusive licensed nursery for the western states.
Southern Highbush Emerald US Plant Patent 12165	Mid		Medium Blue Firm Mild Flavor	Spreading Vigorous
Emerald yields from California are setting production records. This highly productive variety will leaf and grow well despite supporting incredible crops of the largest Southern Highbush berries. Intermittent fall fl owering does not appear to reduce the spring crop, although the very early spring bloom can be vulnerable in areas of early spring frosts. The long harvest period requires multiple pickings but the mild-fl avored fruit keeps its size well throughout harvest. We highly recommend Emerald for commercial plantings in all climates where it is suited. Fall Creek™ is licensed to sell Emerald throughout the United States and is the exclusive licensed nursery in the western states.
Southern Highbush Camellia US Plant Patent Pending	Mid		Sky Blue Excellent Aroma Excellent Flavor	Upright Moderate Vigor
This new University of Georgia midseason variety was selected for its uniformly large, sky blue berries that have excellent fl avor and aroma. Our early observations here in Oregon show Camellia to be a moderate producer of medium vigor with a nice upright shape. Camellia is recommended for planting with Jewel, Abundance, and Misty as possible pollination choices. We recommend Camellia for trial where a superior fl avored variety is desired.
Southern Highbush Misty	Mid		Firm Mild Sweet Flavor	Upright Vigorous
Misty has been planted extensively in California because of its’ fast growth, high yields and exceptional quality berries. The long harvest season and smaller fruit have reduced its popularity in recent years. In the West we fi nd Misty to be quite adaptable, growing very well both on the Coast and in the inland heat. It must be pruned heavily to avoid over-cropping. Misty is recommended for commercial production in areas with chilling as low as 250 hours and all areas with mild winters and hot summers.
Southern Highbush Biloxi	Mid		Light Blue Very Firm Excellent Flavor	Spreading Vigorous
Biloxi is a 1998 USDA release from Mississippi, notable for its bushy growth habit and high quality berries with excellent fl avor. Yields of Biloxi have been disappointing in areas with chilling above 400 hours, but it may fi nd a niche in the low or no-chill regions where the bush can be grown fully evergreen. Biloxi is recommended for trial in very low chill areas where evergreen culture is desired.
Southern Highbush Sharpblue	Mid-Late		Medium Blue Excellent Flavor	Spreading Vigorous
Sharpblue has been largely replaced by newer varieties but is still planted as a pollinator in low or no-chill regions or where other varieties are not licensed. The harvest season is quite long and the berries can be smaller and diffi cult to pick. The bush is one of the the most adaptable of all the low chill types, performing well from the heavy soils of coastal Australia to the sandy soils of Florida. Care must be taken to harvest frequently to keep the quality high in hot weather as the berry can get soft.
Southern Highbush Southmoon US Plant Patent 9834	Mid-Late		Sky Blue Firm Outstanding Flavor	Upright Low Vigor
Southmoon is one of the earlier Florida releases that is performing well in the West in suitable sites with adequate pruning. In Florida’s exacting climate, mortality has been a problem, but this has not been an issue in California when planted in suitable soils. Southmoon’s berries are some of the prettiest we have ever seen, and the eating quality supports their appearance. The berries ripen about 14 days after Star, with peak harvest after Memorial Day in California. We recommend Southmoon for limited commercial plantings, particularly in lighter sandy soil. Chilling requirement is listed at 500 hours. Fall Creek™ is licensed to sell Southmoon throughout the United States and is the exclusive licensed nursery in the western states.