O'Neal Highbush Blueberry is an upright spreading deciduous shrub with good production of mildly sweet yet excellent flavored large dark blueberries that ripen very early with an extended harvest season. The elliptical blue-green foliage turns shades of orange and red in fall. The pinkish-white flower clusters bloom in spring. Grows best with full sun and rich, moist acidic well-drained soils. O'Neal should be planted with others to cross-pollinate to increase yield.
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Type: |
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Origins: |
East N. America; GA Native |
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Height: |
5'-6' |
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Spread: |
4’-5' |
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Spacing: |
4' |
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USDA Hardiness Zone: |
5-9 |
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Culture: |
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Bloom Color: |
White |
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Season of Interest: |
MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Medium Maintenance. Water regularly and mulch. Prune as needed in late winter. Chlorosis may occur in high PH soils. Blight, rot, anthracnose, canker, and mildew are occasional problems. Blueberry maggot, fruit worms, and spotted wing drosophila can damage the fruit. Mummy berry is a fungal disease that shrivels and dries the fruit- remove effected fruit immediately if spotted.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Naturalized Areas, Woodland Gardens, Rock Gardens, Hedges, Foundation Plantings, Edible Gardens, and Containers.
COMPANION PLANTS: Hydrangea, California Lilac, Thyme
Image: Photo by Bottoms Nursery, O'Neal Blueberry
