Also known as Blueberry / Cranberry · 1.2k gardener saves
Vaccinium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Vaccinium, the genus most gardeners know as blueberry / cranberry. We track 24 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Vaccinium varieties
Of 24 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedEcho Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum 'Echo'
#2 most savedChandler Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum 'Chandler'
#3 most savedHighbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
Bonus Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum 'Bonus'
Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum 'Success Mix'
Reka Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum 'Reka'
Duke blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum 'Duke'
Patriot Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum 'Patriot'
Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum 'Mix'
Sunshine Blue Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum 'Blueberry Sunshine Blue'
Spartan Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum 'Spartan'
Bluecrop Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum 'Bluecrop'
Browse all 24 Vaccinium varieties →
How to grow Vaccinium
What the Vaccinium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 24 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Vaccinium year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Remove 1/3 of the oldest, weakest canes to encourage new growth and fruiting
- MulchApril and October96% of varieties
Refresh mulch (pine needles/wood chips) to maintain soil acidity and moisture
- HarvestJune and July96% of varieties
Pick ripe, fully blue berries frequently throughout the season
- FertilizeMarch and May92% of varieties
Apply acid-loving plant fertilizer (e.g., rhododendron food) as buds swell
- PlantFebruary, March, April, September and October63% of varieties
Plant in early spring in heavily amended, acidic soil.
- Check for PestsMay–July42% of varieties
Monitor for spotted wing drosophila and mummy berry disease
Do
- Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature
- Water consistently to keep soil moist 🌱
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting.
- Apply acid-specific fertilizer in spring and summer
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Don’t use alkaline fertilizers that raise soil pH
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Vaccinium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Blueberry Maggot | Larvae burrow into fruit, causing soft spots | Use organic insecticidal soap or apply beneficial nematodes |
| Blueberry maggot | Larvae tunnel into fruit, causing soft spots and decay | Use organic bait traps or apply insecticidal soap |
| Spotted Wing Drosophila | Small larvae inside ripening fruit, causing it to collapse and rot. | Harvest fruit promptly. Use fine-mesh netting. Spinosad-based organic sprays can be effective. |
| Mummy Berry | Shoots and blossoms wilt and turn brown. Berries become hard, gray, and shriveled. | Remove and destroy mummified berries. Apply a thick layer of mulch. Fungicides can be applied at bud break. |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply neem oil or copper fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation; apply neem oil or fungicide |
Making more Vaccinium
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist, acidic soil in a shaded spot.
- Keep soil consistently moist for 6 weeks until roots develop.
Layering
- Choose low-growing branch and bend to ground
- Make a small wound and bury part of the stem in soil
- Secure with a pin or stone
- Water regularly and wait for roots to form in 3-4 months
Vaccinium questions
How many types of Vaccinium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 24 distinct Vaccinium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.2k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Vaccinium grow in?
Across its varieties, Vaccinium covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Vaccinium bloom?
Most Vaccinium varieties bloom in late spring, late spring, mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Vaccinium should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Vaccinium shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Vaccinium in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
