Black Highbush Blueberries are a deciduous shrub in the heath family native to North America. It can be distinguished from other high bush blueberries by the hairs and dingy color of the underside of its leaves and its dark fruits that lack a white (glaucous) coating. The large, sweet, and juicy fruits can be eaten both raw or cooked. Wildlife also enjoy the fruits.
Its natural habitats include bogs, pocosins, swamps, wet woods, edges of lakes, and also in uplands. Its prefers moist or wet soils that do not contain lime. It will grow in both full sun and part shade, however, full sun location will yield the most fruits. [Adapted from plants.ces.ncsu.edu)
While native throughout most of the Mid-Atlantic, the black blueberry highbush is not found in West Virginia. It is also uncommon in the piedmont of DC as well as the mountains and glaciated regions of Pennsylvania, and is rare in the Maryland piedmont and mountains.
Larval Host for the
3-12'
3-10'
SIZE
SOIL
Moist, Wet, Acidic, Avoid Lime, Loam, Sand
LIGHT
Part Shade, Sun
BENEFITS
Butterflies,, Moths, Birds, Small Mammals
NOTES
Works well as a seasonal border or privacy screen, as well as in mass plantings. Multiple bushes needed for productive fruiting.
Supports over 200 moth and butterfly species, as well as 14 species of native bees.
Prefers acidic soil and to be sheltered from high winds. It doesn't like its roots disturbed, so it can be grown in a container until its permanent position has been established. While maturing, choose a shady spot in a greenhouse or sunny spot indoors. Wait until the last frost before relocating to its permanent home.
CHARACTERISTICS
Perennial, Woody Shrub, Easy to Grow, Edible Fruit, Fall Color
February, March, April, May
Shrub
This
flowers in
Black Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium fuscatum
DETAIL VIEW
DESCRIPTION
Black Highbush Blueberries are a deciduous shrub in the heath family native to North America. It can be distinguished from other high bush blueberries by the hairs and dingy color of the underside of its leaves and its dark fruits that lack a white (glaucous) coating. The large, sweet, and juicy fruits can be eaten both raw or cooked. Wildlife also enjoy the fruits.
Its natural habitats include bogs, pocosins, swamps, wet woods, edges of lakes, and also in uplands. Its prefers moist or wet soils that do not contain lime. It will grow in both full sun and part shade, however, full sun location will yield the most fruits. [Adapted from plants.ces.ncsu.edu)
While native throughout most of the Mid-Atlantic, the black blueberry highbush is not found in West Virginia. It is also uncommon in the piedmont of DC as well as the mountains and glaciated regions of Pennsylvania, and is rare in the Maryland piedmont and mountains.