Draper is a northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) variety developed by Michigan State University is a mid-season producer. The elliptical dark green foliage turns red to burgundy in fall. Grows best with full sun and rich, moist acidic well-drained soils. Draper needs a cross-pollinator for best yield and has a mid-to-high chill requirement of 800-1000 hours. Make sure to harvest in a timely manner, as the berries left too long on the bush after ripening will start to be come bland.
|
Type: |
Shrub |
|
Origins: |
East N. America; GA Native |
|
Height: |
4' - 6' |
|
Spread: |
4’ - 6' |
|
Spacing: |
4' |
|
USDA Hardiness Zone: |
5 - 8 |
|
Culture: |
Full Sun, Part Sun |
|
Bloom Color: |
White |
|
Season of Interest: |
Spring, Summer, Fall |
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: Thyme, Strawberry, Raspberry
IMAGE: Draper blueberry photos by North Carolina Extension Services. Fruits by Rob Thurman CC BY 2.0. Form (Durham County,NC)-Mid SummerAndrea Laine CC BY-NC 4.0
*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.
