Blueberries are also known as Vaccinium corymbosum. They’re very easy to look after, so get planting. In the spring the bush blooms with beautiful pinkish white flowers. Self-pollination produces the indigo berries on the plant in the summer: bumblebees and honeybees do the work. Some varieties need cross-pollination, so you should plant those alongside another cultivar. There are many varieties of blueberries with different harvesting times. The larger the blueberry, the tastier and sweeter it will be. Every plant will produce an enormous mountain of berries if you look after it well.
Origin
Blueberries are a member of the Ericaceae family, which also includes Rhododendron, Gaultheria, Pieris, Azalea, Erica and Calluna. The berries are native to woodland areas in the eastern United States, and have been grown in Europe since the start of the 20th century. The blueberry grows wild in forests where it is more or less protected from direct sunlight.
Trivia
- Harvest the berries when they are sufficiently blue. A berry that’s harvested too soon is not nice. They can be stored in the fridge for about a week, and longer in the freezer.
- Blueberries are delicious for snacking, but can also be used in cakes, desserts or smoothies.
- Blueberries are closely related to bilberries.
