9 

Blueberry 'Tophat'

2-Gallon

Height: 1.5-2 feet tall.
Spread: 1.5-2 feet.
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness Zone: 3a.
Other Names: Vaccinium corymbosum x Vaccinium angustifolium 'Tophat'

Description:
A compact, dwarf blueberry variety bred for both ornamental appeal and fruit production. 'Tophat' is a hybrid of highbush and lowbush blueberries, combining the best traits of both. It produces small to medium-sized, sweet berries in mid-summer and has a naturally rounded shape, making it ideal for container growing, small gardens, and edging.

Edible Qualities:
Blueberry 'Tophat' produces sweet, firm berries with a classic blueberry flavor. Its compact size makes it easy to harvest, and the fruit is great for fresh eating and culinary use.

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

Features & Attributes:
Blueberry 'Tophat' features dense, dark green foliage that takes on brilliant red and orange hues in the fall. In spring, it produces small, white bell-shaped flowers that attract pollinators, followed by an abundant summer harvest. Its naturally mounded form makes it an excellent ornamental and functional plant.
This is a deciduous shrub with a compact, 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 'Tophat' is suitable for the following landscape applications:
- Edible Hedges
- Container Growing
- Rock Gardens
- Home Gardens

Planting & Growing:
Blueberry 'Tophat' will grow to be about 1.5-2 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 1.5-2 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 6-12 inches from the ground. It grows at a slow to 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. Minimal pruning is needed to maintain its naturally rounded shape.

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