Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry Bush

Name: Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry Bush
Brand: Nature HIlls Nursery
SKU: 23588
Price: 30.64 USD
Availability: InStock

Vaccinium corymbosum 'Blue Jay'

Nature Hills Nursery

$30⁶⁴

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In Stock

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Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

The Blue Jay Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum 'Blue Jay') flies high among its peers. Michigan State University developed this distinct variety in the late 1970s, and it is one of the best choices for the home gardener! From the fairy-like blossoms that bees adore, the lush green foliage that becomes a dizzying array of yellows, oranges, reds and purple, or the delicious mid-season berries, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better variety for the home garden!

Vigorous and fast-growing, in spring, this Highbush Blueberry is covered with clusters of adorable bell-shaped blossoms, with petals that often blush with a hint of pink. Its berries develop in unison, allowing you to pick just once, and one bush will give you pounds upon pounds of fruit to enjoy!

Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 8, the delicious, sweet fruit of the Blue Jay (sometimes spelled as one word - Bluejay), ripens mid-season, forming medium-sized berries growing in tempting clusters, and these dark blue to purple berries shine against the deep forest green foliage. The berries are mild in flavor with firm, sweet flesh, for some of the best pies and jam you can imagine, and they also freeze well, if you have any left!

Planting and Application:

A boon to wildlife, pollinators will thank you for planting Bluejay, as they flit from blossom to blossom. Neighborhood birds will also love your berries as much as you, so if you don't like sharing, you might need to use netting - or just plant a few extra and have a larger harvest per shrub to benefit all! Plant multiple Bluejay bushes or mix things up with other Northern Highbush Blueberries.

This variety is also great for edible landscaping! Surround your yard with a flowering hedge, that transforms into beautiful orange, yellow and red in the fall. Tall and wide enough for great screening and privacy, while providing habitat, food sustainability and beauty to your gardens! Prune smaller yet for porch and patio container gardening too!

Mild & Sweet Firm Berries
Deliciously Sweet & Beautiful Fruit
Northern Highbush - Ripens Mid-Season
Bears A Good Crop In The 2nd Or 3rd Year
Blooms Later In Spring To Help Avoid Frosts

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Your Highbush Blueberry prefers full sun, but won't mind some partial shade, however, you will notice fewer flowers and therefore less fruit. Find a spot with rich soil that is moist to wet, preferring acidic soil, and plant with plenty of peat moss and mulch. Water regularly the first year, and provide extra water when it is hot and dry. Prune when dormant to control shape and size, and keep the interior open to sun and air penetration.

Full Sun
Moist Well-Drained SoilSlightly Acidic Conditions & Regular Fertility
Check Out More Blueberry Care
800-1000 Chill Hours
Self-Fertile - Larger Crops With Another Northern Highbush

This variety is self-fertile, but after one taste, you will want to purchase multiple Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry bushes for increased pollination and harvest! Firm, sweet, and easy to grow, why hesitate to grab a few extra? Hurry and order this perfect home garden fruiting shrub today at NatureHills.com!

Botanical Name

Vaccinium corymbosum 'Blue Jay'
Class
- Magnoliopsida
Species

corymbosum
Cultivar

Blue Jay
Growing Zones

4-8
Height

5-7 ft
Width

5-7 ft
Sunlight
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- White
Leaf Color
- Green
- Red
Fall Color

Yellow, Orange, Purple & Red
Bloom Period

Early Spring, Late Spring
Does Not Ship To

AK, CA, FL, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR, WA

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Growing Zones 4-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mature height and width of the Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry Bush?

Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry bushes typically reach 4-6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide at maturity. This vigorous variety grows large enough for effective screening and privacy hedging. Space plants 4-6 feet apart for proper air circulation and room to develop their full, productive size.

Does the Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry require a pollinator, or is it self-fertile?

Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry is self-fertile but produces larger harvests when cross-pollinated with other blueberry varieties. While one bush will give you pounds of mid-season fruit, planting multiple Blue Jay bushes or mixing with other Northern Highbush varieties maximizes your yield in zones 4-8.

How much sun exposure does the Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry Bush need?

Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry needs full sun to partial sun for optimal berry production. Like most blueberries, it performs best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant in a sunny location for maximum fruit yield and vibrant fall color.

When and how should I prune the Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry Bush?

Prune Blue Jay blueberry bushes in late winter while dormant, before buds break. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches first, then thin older canes to encourage new growth. You can also prune smaller for container growing on patios and porches.

How is the Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry Bush shipped—bare root or potted?

Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry bushes are shipped as potted plants from Nature Hills, not bare root. This allows for easier transplanting and better establishment in your garden. Plant in spring for best results in zones 4-8.

What size plant will I receive when ordering a Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry Bush?

You'll receive a young nursery-grown plant ready for immediate planting in your garden. The exact size varies by season and availability, but all plants are healthy specimens that will establish quickly in zones 4-8. Plant in spring for best results and expect vigorous growth from this fast-growing variety.

What is the expected fruit yield and when does it start producing on Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry?

Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry produces pounds of fruit per bush once established, with berries ripening mid-season in uniform clusters. This allows for convenient single-harvest picking rather than multiple pickings over weeks. Plant multiple bushes for cross-pollination to maximize your yield.

Is the Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry cold hardy, and what is its minimum temperature tolerance?

The Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry is cold hardy in USDA zones 4-8, tolerating winter temperatures down to -30°F. This Michigan State variety thrives in northern climates where many fruit plants struggle. Plant in well-draining soil with full sun for best cold tolerance.

Does Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry have good disease or pest resistance?

Blue Jay Highbush Blueberry shows good general vigor and hardiness in zones 4-8, but specific disease resistance isn't noted for this Michigan State variety. Like most blueberries, proper spacing and well-draining acidic soil help prevent common issues. Plant multiple bushes for better pollination and consider preventive care rather than relying on inherent resistance.