Blueberry Duke (Vaccinium Corymbosum) Fruit Bush 3ltr Pot

About Blueberry Duke

Duke is the most widely planted early ripening northern variety, a vigorous and highly productive variety with a bushy upright growth and attractive oval shaped leaves. Heavy, consistent yield with an attractive, light blue, high quality berry. The fruit is firm and has a good crunch when eaten fresh and freezes well. Duke blooms late but ripens early which protects the blossoms from spring frosts. Branches may droop to the ground when laden with fruit and require the use a simple trellis as support. Stunning red/gold foliage in the autumn. Plant in an open sunny spot in a moist acid, but well-drained soil.

• Self fertile
• Planting Distance 1.5m apart
• Height & Spread 2m x 1m
• Crops June/ July

The blueberry is one of the most popular fruits in the country. The duke is a popular and early ripening variety that produces fruit from June to July. It's small purple berries bring ornamental appeal into the garden. This is a high-yield fruit that can be grown in a container or garden border. The round fruits hang from woody stems that also produce rounded green and golden leaves which create a wonderful garden display. These wonderful berries have a subtle, sweet flavour and produce a lot of juice if crushed. The Duke is notable for having a bit of a bite that adds wonderful texture to breakfasts. Because of their subtler taste they are a wonderful fruit to use in baking, making fantastic muffins or pancake fillers.

How to grow blueberries

Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with moist, well-drained, acidic and light soil to plant your blueberry. The plant will tolerate a more shaded spot, but this will mean your fruits will take longer to ripen. Blueberries will not grow well in soil with a PH higher than 5.5, so you will get better results by planting in a container which makes the PH balance easier to control. Prune back in late autumn and look out for mildew.

How do I harvest blueberries?

The berries start to ripen from mid-summer onwards, changing from green to dusky blue when ready to pick. They won't all ripen at once, so check over plants several times. When ready, pull gently until the berry comes off the stem.

How do I store blueberries?

Blueberries can be eaten fresh or can be frozen in an airtight bag for later use. They also are a very good fruit for making jam.