Blueberry 'Emerald' (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Juicy Clusters with Bright Sweetness

Blueberry ‘Emerald’ (Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Emerald’) forms a dense, rounded shrub layered with glossy, blue-green foliage that glows under warm sun. In spring, it produces clusters of creamy white, bell-shaped flowers before swelling in powder-blue berries. Blueberry ‘Emerald’ has a low chill requirement (150 to 250 hours) and is ideal for warm climates, especially Florida and Georgia. Emerald was developed by the University of Florida blueberry breeding program in 1991 with the goal to combine low chill requirements, high yield, and good fruit quality for southern U.S. climates. The fruit is noted for its firm texture, balanced sweetness, and refreshing, bright finish—perfect for fresh eating straight off the bush. Bred for warm climates and adapted from wild highbush blueberries native to North America’s cool, acidic forests and bog margins, ‘Emerald’ brings exceptional vigor, heavy productivity, and ornamental appeal. Its lush foliage, reliable fruit set, and heat tolerance make it one of the most celebrated modern blueberry cultivars for home growers.

This variety stands out for its abundant yields and early-to-mid-season ripening, offering weeks of berries while maintaining a clean, compact shape. Its foliage takes on soft seasonal shifts—fresh green in spring, deep emerald in summer, and subtle, warm tones in fall—making it as decorative as it is delicious. Whether planted as a hedge, specimen shrub, or container crop, ‘Emerald’ rewards gardeners with beauty, resilience, and bowls of delectable berries.

Cultural & Culinary Significance
Blueberries hold deep culinary and cultural importance across North America, where Indigenous communities have long used them in preserved foods, medicinal preparations, and seasonal rituals. Traditionally dried for winter sustenance, combined with meats in pemmican, or cooked into nourishing teas and tonics, blueberries symbolized health, endurance, and the turning of the seasons. In modern kitchens, cultivars like ‘Emerald’ carry this lineage into pies, muffins, jams, syrups, and refreshing summer desserts. Their vivid color, antioxidant-rich skins, and distinctively sweet-tart flavor have made blueberries a beloved staple in homes and celebrations throughout the continent. Growing ‘Emerald’ connects today’s gardeners to this long tradition of wild harvest, nourishment, and the enduring pleasure of summer fruit.

Why Grow Blueberry ‘Emerald’?

1. Heavy producer of firm, sweet, early-to-mid–season berries

2. Attractive year-round foliage and bell-shaped spring blooms

3. Heat-tolerant and excellent for Southern and mild-winter climates

4. Provides food and habitat for pollinators and wildlife

5. Deep cultural and culinary value across North America