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Blueberry Bush 101 - Which Blueberry Should I Plant?

Blueberry Bush 101 - Which Blueberry Should I Plant? - Nature Hills Nursery

Charlotte Weidner |

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?

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!

Northern HighbushSouthern 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

southern highbushLowbush 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

Lowbush BlueberryRabbiteye 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:

RabbiteyeHalf-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:

Half-High blueberriesPick 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!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many varieties of blueberries are there?
There are 5 main types of blueberry bushes suitable for home gardens: Northern Highbush, Southern Highbush, Lowbush, Rabbiteye, and Half-High varieties. Each type is adapted to different hardiness zones and growing conditions, from cold-hardy northern varieties to heat-tolerant southern types. Within these 5 categories, dozens of individual cultivars exist with varying fruit characteristics, ripening times, and plant sizes. Choose your variety based on your hardiness zone, available space, and desired harvest timing for best results.

Are there different types of blueberries?
Yes, there are 5 distinct types of blueberry bushes for home gardens: Northern Highbush, Southern Highbush, Lowbush, Rabbiteye, and Half-High varieties. Each type has different height requirements, hardiness zones, chill hour needs, and pollination characteristics. Northern Highbush varieties thrive in colder climates, while Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye types handle heat better, and Half-High varieties offer compact growth perfect for containers. Choose your variety based on your specific hardiness zone and available garden space for optimal fruit production.

Are blueberry bushes self pollinating?
Most blueberry bushes are self-fertile but produce significantly larger crops with cross-pollination from another variety. While a single bush will set some fruit on its own, planting two different cultivars of the same type (such as two Northern Highbush varieties) within 100 feet of each other can increase yields by 30-50%. For best results, choose varieties that bloom at the same time to ensure effective cross-pollination by bees.

Are blueberries perennials?
Yes, blueberry bushes are perennial woody shrubs that can produce fruit for 20-50 years or more once established. These long-lived plants go dormant in winter and return each spring with new growth, flowers, and fruit. Unlike annual berry plants, blueberries become more productive with age as their root systems and branch structure mature. Plant blueberry bushes as a long-term investment in your garden, choosing varieties suited to your hardiness zone for decades of reliable harvests.

Are blueberries self fertile?
Most blueberry varieties are self-fertile and will produce fruit with just one bush, but cross-pollination with a second variety significantly increases fruit size, yield, and quality. Northern Highbush and Southern Highbush varieties benefit most from cross-pollination, while Rabbiteye blueberries typically require a second variety for optimal production. For best results, plant two different varieties that bloom at the same time within your hardiness zone to maximize your harvest.

Are blueberry bushes evergreen?
Most blueberry bushes are deciduous, not evergreen, meaning they lose their leaves each fall and provide beautiful autumn color in shades of red, orange, and yellow. However, some Southern Highbush varieties in warmer zones (8-10) may retain their leaves longer or act semi-evergreen in mild winter climates. Northern varieties like Lowbush and Half-High blueberries are fully deciduous and require winter dormancy to fruit properly. Choose deciduous varieties for reliable fruit production and enjoy the bonus of stunning fall foliage display.

Are blueberries cold hardy?
Blueberry cold hardiness varies significantly by type, with Northern Highbush and Half-High varieties being the most cold-tolerant, surviving in zones 3-7, while Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye types are only hardy to zones 7-9. Lowbush blueberries are extremely cold hardy, naturally growing in zones 2-6. Choose Northern Highbush or Half-High varieties if you garden in zones 3-6 for reliable winter survival and fruit production.

Are blueberries vines or bushes?
Blueberries grow as bushes, not vines, with heights ranging from 1-2 feet for Lowbush varieties to 6-12 feet for mature Northern Highbush types. These woody shrubs develop multiple stems from the base and produce fruit on established branches. Half-High varieties offer a compact 3-4 foot option perfect for containers or smaller spaces. Choose your blueberry bush type based on your available space and desired harvest size.

Can blueberries grow in hot climates?
Yes, blueberries can grow in hot climates with the right variety selection. Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye blueberries are specifically bred for heat tolerance and thrive in warmer zones where traditional Northern varieties would struggle. Southern Highbush varieties perform well in zones 7-10, while Rabbiteye blueberries excel in zones 7-9 and require fewer chill hours than their northern counterparts. Choose heat-adapted varieties and provide afternoon shade and consistent moisture for best results in hot climates.

Are blueberries evergreen?
Most blueberry bushes are deciduous, not evergreen, and actually provide beautiful fall color as their leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow before dropping. However, some Southern Highbush varieties in zones 8-10 may retain foliage longer in mild winter climates, appearing semi-evergreen. Northern varieties like Lowbush and Half-High blueberries are fully deciduous and require winter dormancy to produce fruit properly. Choose deciduous varieties for reliable fruit production and enjoy the bonus of stunning seasonal foliage changes in your landscape.
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