9 

Blueberry 'Blue Ray'

2-Gallon

Height: 4-6 feet tall.
Spread: 3-4 feet.
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness Zone: 4a.
Other Names: Vaccinium corymbosum 'Blue Ray'

Description:
A classic northern highbush blueberry variety, 'Blue Ray' is known for its exceptionally sweet and flavorful berries, making it a favorite for fresh eating and baking. This cold-hardy, high-yielding variety produces large, firm fruit in mid-season and features vibrant fall foliage, adding ornamental value to home gardens and edible landscapes.

Edible Qualities:
Blueberry 'Blue Ray' produces large, plump berries with a rich, sweet flavor and a hint of tartness. The fruit ripens in mid-summer and holds well on the bush, allowing for an extended harvest.

The fruit is most often used in the following ways:
- Fresh Eating
- Baking
- Smoothies
- Preserves
- Freezing

Features & Attributes:
Blueberry 'Blue Ray' features lush green foliage throughout the growing season, transitioning to brilliant shades of red and orange in the fall. In early spring, it produces clusters of delicate white, bell-shaped flowers that attract pollinators. Its upright, spreading habit and reliable fruit production make it an excellent choice for home gardens and orchards.

This is a deciduous shrub with a strong, bushy growth habit. It is self-pollinating but benefits from being planted near another blueberry variety for increased yields.

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Blueberry 'Blue Ray' is suitable for the following landscape applications:
- Edible Hedges
- Home Gardens
- Wildlife Gardens
- Ornamental Landscaping

Planting & Growing:
Blueberry 'Blue Ray' will grow to be about 4-6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3-4 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1-2 feet from the ground. It grows at a medium rate and, under ideal conditions, can be expected to live for 30 years or more.

This shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained, acidic soil. It requires consistent moisture, particularly during fruit development, and benefits from an annual layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. Light pruning after fruiting helps maintain its shape and productivity.

Additional Characteristics:
- Mid-Season Ripening
- Self-Pollinating (Improved Yields with Cross-Pollination)
- High-Yielding
- Cold Hardy
- Excellent Fall Foliage Color