Jelly Bean® Blueberry Bush

Where to Plant

• Sunlight: Aim for at least 6 to 8 hours of direct, unfiltered sun each day; full sun ensures maximum berry production and the best red-tinged winter foliage this variety is known for. While it tolerates partial shade, expect fewer blooms and a significantly lighter berry yield.
• Soil: Blueberries are acid-loving, so the soil must have a low pH between 4.5 and 5.5, be well-drained, and rich in organic matter. If you have heavy clay or alkaline soil, amend the planting hole heavily with peat moss or elemental sulfur to lower the pH before planting.

Watering Requirements

For the first year, keep the soil consistently moist to allow the shallow root system to establish well; this may mean daily watering during hot, dry spells. Once mature, Jelly Bean® is moderately drought tolerant, but inconsistent watering, especially during the fruit-ripening stage, will result in stressed plants and small, dry, or cracked berries. Provide about an inch of water weekly from flowering through harvest.

Pruning Tips

Blueberry bushes bloom and fruit primarily on old wood, specifically canes that grew the previous season. The best time to prune is late winter or early spring before new buds begin to swell. The technique is a simple thinning: remove the oldest, thickest, darkest canes down to the ground, taking out about 20% of the oldest wood each year to make room for vigorous new growth that will produce the best future harvests.

Fertilizer Needs

Use a granular, acid-loving fertilizer (like an Azalea/Rhododendron formula) once in early spring as new growth emerges and possibly again in late spring. This timing provides nutrients when the plant needs them most for setting fruit and developing new canes. What to avoid: Do not apply any high-nitrogen fertilizer after mid-summer or you risk stimulating soft, late growth that is highly susceptible to winter damage.