5 Types of Blueberry Bushes - Which Variety is Right for Your Garden?
Not all Blueberry Bushes are created equal! With 5 distinct types of Blueberries available for home gardens: Northern Highbush, Southern Highbush, Lowbush, Rabbiteye, and Half-High, choosing the right Blueberry variety for your climate, space, and growing conditions is crucial for a successful harvest.
This comprehensive Blueberry Variety Guide helps you understand the differences between types, including height, hardiness zones, chill hour requirements, and pollination needs. Whether you need cold-hardy Blueberries for northern gardens, heat-tolerant varieties for southern climates, or compact bushes for container growing, discover which Blueberry Bush will thrive in your yard and produce the sweetest, most abundant crops.
- What Makes Blueberries So Special?
- Do You Need Two Blueberry Bushes To Get Fruit?
- 5 Types of Blueberry Bushes - Quick Comparison Chart
- Northern Highbush Blueberries
- Southern Highbush Blueberries
- Lowbush Blueberries
- Rabbiteye Blueberries
- Half-High Blueberries
- Pick the Right Blueberry Variety For Your Garden!
- Find Your Perfect Blueberry Bush Match
What Makes Blueberries So Special?
Big, juicy, blue-hued, round fruits that are high in antioxidants and nutrients, plus kid-friendly for picking! Blueberries are delightful finds in the wild, with patches remaining a well-kept family secret!
With incredible ornamental offerings for the landscape, including fine-textured foliage, fall color, delightful white spring blossoms, and the cute stars on the bottoms of each little juicy blue gem, Blueberries have long been crowd favorites! As versatile in the vegetable and kitchen garden as landscaping edibles, they’re also healthful additions to our tables!
Thriving in a wide range of climates across the US, attracting pollinators galore and feeding birds too, Blueberries are good for much more than just their fruit! But did you know how many kinds of Blueberry Bushes are really out there?
Do You Need Two Blueberry Bushes To Get Fruit?
Generally, everyone does better with the help of a friend, and the same goes for fruiting bushes and Blueberries!
Most varieties are self-fertile to partially self-fertile, meaning they can produce fruit on their own. However, planting two or more varieties close together will:
- Increase your crop size significantly
- Often extend your harvest season
- Improve berry quality
Rabbiteye varieties are the exception, as they are not self-pollinating for the most part, so you'll want to plant two kinds in order to cross-pollinate for fruit production.
5 Types of Blueberry Bushes - Quick Comparison Chart
| Type | Height | Zones | Self-Fertile? | Best For |
| Northern Highbush | 5–8 ft | 4–7 | Yes | Cold climates |
| Southern Highbush | 6–8 ft | 7–10 | Yes | Warm regions, low chill hours |
| Lowbush | 6 in–2 ft | 3–7 | Yes | Containers, small spaces |
| Rabbiteye | 3–6 ft | 7–9 | No (needs 2 varieties) | Heat tolerance |
| Half-High | 2–4 ft | 3–7 | Yes | Containers, less pruning |
Northern Highbush Blueberries
These Blueberries are native to the eastern US and tend to grow larger. Going by the botanical name Vaccinium corymbosum, Highbush Blueberries are self-fertile and don't need a pollinator (though adding another variety nearby can increase your crop size and extend your harvest season). These are excellent options for colder climates.
Top Varieties:
- Pink Icing™ - One of the most interesting Highbush varieties
- Duke - A classic Blueberry
- Cabernet Splash - Features fantastically hued foliage!
Southern Highbush Blueberries
Developed for warmer regions of the South, Southern Highbush Blueberries need fewer chill hours per year to actively produce fruit. They reach 6–8 feet tall and are self-fertile; however, planting another variety nearby allows for cross-pollination and larger, more abundant harvests.
Top Varieties:
- Sunshine Blue - Cute, productive dwarf variety
- Misty - High yields
- O'Neal - Long harvest season
Lowbush Blueberries
Bearing the botanical name Vaccinium angustifolium, Lowbush Blueberries are native to the northeastern US, growing just 6 inches to 2 feet tall. They thrive naturally from Canada and Maine to North Carolina and west to Iowa and Minnesota. While they're mostly grown wild, several excellent cultivated varieties are available for home gardeners.
Top Varieties:
- Top Hat - Great in containers and easy to pick
- Northblue - Very easy to grow
- Chippewa - Purple berries
Rabbiteye Blueberries
If you're looking for a Blueberry that thrives in the heat, Rabbiteye Blueberries are for you! Native to the southeastern US, this species (Vaccinium virgatum) was bred for high heat tolerance and low chill-hour requirements. These bushes typically grow 3–6 feet tall and are not self-pollinating. You’ll need two varieties for fruit production.
Top Varieties:
- Brightwell - High yield
- Powder Blue - Clusters of up to 50 berries each!
- Pink Lemonade - Bubblegum pink fruit when ripe!
Half-High Blueberries
Half-High Blueberries are a cross between Highbush and Lowbush types. Compact yet productive, they’re perfect for containers and require less pruning. Like their parent varieties, Half-Highs are self-pollinating but yield more when planted near another Blueberry Bush.
Top Varieties:
Pick the Right Blueberry Variety For Your Garden!
Start by heading over to our Blueberry Bush page and finding your Hardiness Zone. Then, check how much sun and space you have to narrow down the best Blueberry Bush for you!
Need some help? Don't hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable horticultural staff online or by phone, and we’ll be happy to assist!
Find Your Perfect Blueberry Bush Match
Choosing the right Blueberry variety transforms your gardening success! Northern gardeners in zones 4–7 should explore cold-hardy Northern Highbush and Half-High varieties, while southern gardeners in zones 7–10 will find Southern Highbush and heat-loving Rabbiteye Blueberries thrive in warmer climates. Container gardeners can enjoy Lowbush and compact Half-High types that deliver full-sized flavor in smaller spaces. Remember, most Blueberries are self-fertile, but planting two or more varieties together maximizes your harvest and extends your picking season.
Now that you've selected your ideal Blueberry variety, learn how to plant, water, prune, and care for your bushes with our complete guide: How to Grow Blueberry Bushes - Complete Care Guide for Beginners.
Browse our full selection of Blueberry Bushes and start planning your berry harvest today!
Happy Planting!
