Emerald Blueberry - Southern Highbush

The Emerald Blueberry is an early-ripening southern highbush variety that produces sizeable, firm, medium-dark blue berries with a mild sweetness. With a moderately low chill requirement of about 250 hours, it suits regions with milder winters.

At a glance

• Type: Southern highbush blueberry
• Chill hours: About 250 (moderately low)
• Berries: Medium-dark blue, sizeable, firm, mildly sweet
• Flowering: Mid-January to mid-February
• Harvest: Mid-April to mid-May
• Mature height: 6 to 8 feet
• Pollination: Cross-pollinates with southern highbush types such as Jewel
• Growing zones: USDA 8 to 10

Best for

• Mild-winter home gardens
• Early-season blueberry harvests
• Fresh eating, recipes, and preserving
• Family berry-picking
• Low-maintenance fruit growing

How to grow

Hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10, the Emerald needs only about 250 chill hours. For the best yield, pair it with another southern highbush variety such as Jewel for cross-pollination. It is relatively low-maintenance and matures to 6 to 8 feet tall.

Flavor profile

Mildly sweet and firm when fully ripe, with sizeable, medium-dark blue berries.

About Everglades Farm

Everglades Farm is a Florida nursery growing fruiting plants, edible plants, and rare garden showpieces, shipped directly from the nursery to your door.