Sweetheart Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum 'Sweetheart'

Height: 5 to 6 feet
Spread: 3 to 4 feet
Sunlight: Full sun / Partial shade
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8

Description:
An early season blueberry variety known for heavy yields of sweet, juicy berries and excellent cold hardiness. This vigorous northern and southern highbush cross produces its primary crop in late May to early June and, in mild climates, a lighter second crop later in summer. It is self-pollinating, though planting with other blueberry varieties can increase fruit size and overall yield.

Edible Qualities:
Sweetheart Blueberry produces large blue berries with a firm texture and sweet flavor. Under good growing conditions, mature plants can yield up to 15 pounds of fruit per season. The berries are excellent for fresh eating and also perform well for baking, preserves, and freezing.

Ornamental Features:
Sweetheart Blueberry features clusters of white flowers in late spring that attract pollinators. It has green deciduous foliage that provides a clean, upright appearance throughout the growing season. Fruit ripens early, with a possible second harvest in late summer in warmer regions.

Landscape Attributes:
Sweetheart Blueberry is a deciduous shrub with an upright, compact growth habit. Its average texture blends well into mixed borders, hedges, containers, and edible landscapes, making it a versatile choice for home gardens.

This is a relatively easy-care plant with good vigor and reliability. It typically begins producing fruit within 2 to 3 years of planting. Gardeners should be aware that while self-pollinating, cross-pollination with other blueberry varieties can improve yield and fruit size.

Sweetheart Blueberry is recommended for the following landscape applications:
- Orchard and Edible Landscaping
- Container Planting
- Border Planting
- Hedge Planting
- General Garden Use

Planting & Growing:
Sweetheart Blueberry will grow to be about 5 to 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 to 4 feet. Space plants approximately 4 to 5 feet apart to allow for airflow and proper growth. It grows at a moderate rate and can produce fruit within a few years of planting.

This shrub performs best in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, loamy soil with a strongly acidic pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Maintain even moisture and avoid standing water. Mulching helps conserve soil moisture and regulate root temperature. This variety is cold hardy and well suited for a wide range of growing regions.