Blueberries: the best varieties for the Moscow region, early, fruitful, sweet, tasty, undersized, self-fertile

Blueberries are a great option for growing in central Our Country. Culture is only gaining popularity among gardeners. For planting choose reliable and unpretentious hybrids. Positive feedback on blueberry varieties for the Moscow region confirms the promise of this crop.

Climate features in the Moscow region

The climatic conditions of the Moscow region are perfect for growing blueberries. The temperature regime, the level of precipitation and the composition of the soil contribute to the active development of the bushes. The region has a temperate climate characterized by warm summers and not too cold winters with snow cover.

Blueberries thrive in climates with short, cold summers. Berries have time to ripen even with a lack of heat. In the suburbs, summer lasts about 3,5 months. This is enough to form a crop.

For culture, the acidity of the soil matters. Bushes develop best at a pH of 3,5 to 5. Soddy-podzolic and gray forest soils predominate in the Moscow region. They are located in the eastern and southern parts of the region. Before planting, deoxidizers are introduced into such soil. In the east and north, there are marsh and peat soils that are perfect for growing crops.

What qualities should blueberry varieties for the Moscow region have

Before planting a crop in the Moscow region, they are guided by several factors:

• unpretentiousness;
• self-fertility;
• high yield;
• good taste;
• transportability and keeping quality of the crop;
• frost resistance;
• immunity to diseases;
• winter hardiness

The best varieties of blueberries for the Moscow region

All varieties of blueberries can be divided into several groups. They differ in fruiting time, bush size, fruit taste and yield.

Early

Early varieties of blueberries for the Moscow region give a harvest in mid-July. The fruiting of the culture is extended for 2 – 3 weeks. This is the best landing option in the region.

Early varieties of garden blueberries for the Moscow region:

• bluegold. American hybrid, known since 1989. The bushes are low, with a large number of shoots up to 1,2 m. The berries are bluish in color, dense, of medium size. Taste characteristics of fruits are high. The yield is from 5 to 7 kg. Frost resistance – up to -34 ° С. Bluegold is easy to care for, suitable for beginner gardeners;

  

• River. Forms a strong upright shrub up to 2 m in size. Berries up to 15 mm in size, intense blue color, have a sweet spicy taste. They hang on branches for a long time after ripening, and are stored in the refrigerator for a long time. The frost resistance of the variety is high. Productivity reaches 8 kg;

  

• Blyuette. It has the appearance of a short bush, which does not exceed 1 – 1,5 m. The crop yield is high and stable, reaching 5 – 9 kg per plant. The fruits are small, 12 mm in diameter, dark blue, with dense pulp. The tasting qualities of the berries are high. The crop does not tolerate long-term storage.

  

With an average maturity

Hybrids of medium ripening give a harvest in early August. Such varieties without problems give good fruiting in the conditions of the Moscow region.

Varieties of garden blueberries of medium ripening for the Moscow region:

• Bluejays. The plant forms a powerful bush up to 1,8 m in size. Its berries are medium in size, dense, do not crack. The taste qualities of the culture are high. Its yield is up to 6 kg. The crop withstands long-term storage and transportation. The frost resistance of the culture is increased, about -34 ° C;

  

• Patriot. A plant with upright shoots up to 1,8 m high produces large bluish fruits up to 20 mm in size. Taste properties of berries are satisfactory. Productivity reaches 9 kg of fruits. With the growth of the shrub, its fruiting worsens, therefore pruning of the shoots is mandatory;

  

• Blue Ray. A bush with straight shoots that grows up to 1,8 m. The berries are large, 17 mm in diameter, with a blue shiny skin. The fruiting period of the culture is extended, while its yield is stable and high, reaching 8 kg per plant. The Blue-ray hybrid has a decorative appearance, withstands frosts down to -34 ° C. An obligatory stage of care is the annual pruning of shoots.

  

Late

These are representatives of the culture of late ripening, which give a harvest in the middle and end of August. The best varieties of blueberries for the Moscow region with a photo:

• Herbert. A powerful sprawling bush up to 2,2 m high. Its fruits are large, up to 22 mm in diameter. The color of the berries is bright blue, the pulp and skin are of medium density. The taste is good, delicate, there is a pleasant aroma. After ripening, the fruits do not fall off the branches. The crop volume is up to 4 kg;

  

• Thoreau. A large hybrid with straight shoots growing up to 2 m. The berries of the culture are medium in size, blue in color, with a smooth skin. Fruiting is regular, the yield is up to 8 kg, it is harvested in two stages. Variety Toro universal purpose: used fresh and for processing. Frost resistance – up to -30 ° C;

  

• bonus. It has the appearance of a sprawling bush up to 1,5 m high. Its fruits are very large, up to 30 mm in size, with a small scar. The skin is light blue, elastic, the taste is rated as good. Productivity is regular, reaches 8 kg. Ripening is extended over time. The hybrid is resistant to temperature extremes, does not freeze in winter at temperatures down to -34 ° C.

  

Low-growing

Low-growing hybrids are compact in size. In the Moscow region, they reach a height of 1 m. Due to this, the bush begins to bear fruit early. Such varieties take up little space on the site and require minimal care.

The best low-growing blueberry varieties for the Moscow region:

• Northblue. Plant 60 – 120 cm high, which bears fruit in medium terms, bringing dark blue quality berries 13 mm in size. They keep well refrigerated. The yield is up to 3,5 kg. Frost resistance – up to -40 ° C;

  

• Shegarskaya. This Siberian hybrid was obtained by selecting wild forms. It is highly resistant to cold and disease. Variety Shegarskaya is self-fertile. The branches of the bush are medium-sized, they bear dark blue fruits with a diameter of 11 mm. They taste sweet, with a pleasant sourness. Their skin is tender, with a bluish bloom;

  

• Northcountry. A short bush that reaches a height of 70 – 90 cm. The plant is sprawling and powerful. Its fruits are medium in size, up to 15 mm. The color is light blue, the taste is high. The pulp of the berries is dense, which provides them with good keeping quality. The crop volume reaches 8 kg. The Northcountry variety is recommended for processing. At the same time, it is winter-hardy and not demanding on the composition of the soil.

  

Tall

Tall varieties native to North America. In nature, they are found in swamps and forest thickets. Numerous varieties have been obtained on the basis of wild-growing forms. They are characterized by high yield, large and sweet fruits.

The best tall blueberry varieties for growing in the Moscow region:

• Coville. Hybrid of the middle period of fruiting. Shrub with straight shoots, grows up to 2 m or more. The fruits are grayish in color, large, up to 16 mm in girth. The taste is pleasant, sweet and sour. The yield of bushes is above average and is up to 6 kg. The plant quickly adapts after planting;

  

• Spartan. A powerful shrub with straight branches that reach 2 m. Ripening takes place at the end of July, brings up to 6 kg of fruits of light blue color, 16 – 18 mm in girth. Their flesh is dense, withstands transportation, the taste is pleasant, with a slight sourness, the aroma is strong. The plant does not tolerate excess moisture in the soil, is resistant to moniliosis and fruit mummification;

  

• Stanley. Tall powerful shrub of early fruiting. Its shoots grow up to 2 m or more. The yield of the plant is average, up to 5 kg. Its fruits are light blue, large. They have a pleasant dessert taste and are not subject to cracking. The shelf life of the crop is limited. It is recommended to find a use for it immediately after collection.

  

Self-fertile varieties of blueberries for the Moscow region

Most blueberries are self-fertile. Such varieties produce white-pink flowers collected in a brush. Pollination is carried out by bees and other insects. To get a high yield, at least 2 bushes are planted nearby. The main condition is flowering at the same time.

The best self-fertile varieties of garden blueberries for the Moscow region:

• Elliot. Tall hybrid of late ripening, which grows up to 2,1 m. Its fruits are medium in size, not more than 11 mm. The skin on them is strong, light blue in color. In cold and rainy weather, the flesh acquires a tart taste. When ripe, a delicate aroma appears. The crop volume reaches 6 kg;

  

• Darrow. A tall large shrub up to 2,1 m in size. Its berries are very large, reaching 20 mm. Their color is blue, there is a pronounced aroma. The taste is unusual, dessert. Up to 8 kg of blueberries are removed from the bush. The crop is poorly stored and transported. The frost resistance of the culture is up to -28 ° С;

  

• Liberty. A vigorous growing shrub. Its shoots are strong and tough, up to 1,5 m. The berries are medium and large in size, blue-violet in color, with a sour taste. Their pulp is dense, rich in phenols and antioxidants. Liberty withstands winter cold down to -37 °C.

Harvest varieties of blueberries for the Moscow region

Tall plants bring the highest yield. Up to 9-10 kg of berries are obtained from each bush. The highest quality and largest fruits are harvested in the first wave of ripening. Then their value decreases slightly.

The best high-yielding varieties of blueberries for the Moscow region:

• Duke. American hybrid 1,3-1,8 m high. The branches of the bush are straight and rigid. Berries of medium size, with a smooth crispy skin. Frost resistance reaches -28 ° С. Fruiting culture is stable. When grown, shoots are regularly pruned;

  

• Nelson. Dense medium-sized shrub, reaching 1,6 m. Fruits in medium terms. Its berries are large, up to 20 mm in size, with blue skin and dense pulp. Taste is good, sweet. The yield is up to 9 kg per bush;

  

• Blyukrop. Shrub of medium vigor, sprawling, reaches 1,8 m in height. The ripening of the culture occurs at the end of July. This is a reliable and productive hybrid that brings up to 9 kg of fruit. Its berries are large, up to 22 mm in size, collected in long clusters.

  

The most delicious and sweet varieties of blueberries for the Moscow region

Blueberries have a sweet and sour taste reminiscent of blueberries. The dessert quality of the berry is affected by the sugar content. In the sweetest varieties, this figure reaches 9% or more.

The sweetest varieties of blueberries for the Moscow region:

• Northland. A low-growing shrub, reaching a size of 1,2 m. Its fruiting occurs in mid-July. The crop yield is stable. Its berries are medium in size, dense and sweet, they are stored for a long time. This is one of the most frost-resistant representatives of the culture: it can withstand colds down to -40 ° C;

  

• Brigitte Blue. Late maturing hybrid. The bush reaches a height of 2,2 m. Its fruits are 15 mm in diameter, with a strong skin, light blue in color. The taste of the berries is excellent. The yield from a shrub reaches 6 kg;

  

• Rancocas. The start of fruiting falls on the second decade of August. The shrub grows up to 1,8 m. Annually produces many shoots and requires thinning. Its berries have a good sweet taste. The hybrid is characterized by increased resistance to cold and diseases.

  

What varieties of blueberries are best planted in the suburbs

When choosing blueberries for cultivation in the Moscow region, various factors are taken into account. They focus primarily on the timing of the fruiting of the culture. Guaranteed yield hybrids of early and medium ripening. Late varieties do not always have time to ripen, especially in cold and rainy summers.

In addition, take into account the size of adult shrubs. Large and sprawling representatives give the highest yield, but take up a lot of space on the site. Low hybrids begin to bear fruit earlier and are compact in size. However, they produce smaller berries.

Particular attention is paid to the winter hardiness of the culture, susceptibility to diseases and pests. Such plants are easy to care for and do not need shelter in the fall.

Conclusion

Reviews of blueberry varieties for the Moscow region show that the plants take root well in the plots and give a high yield. When choosing a hybrid, they are guided by its ripening time, winter hardiness and fruit taste.