Emerald Blueberry Plant

Buy Emerald Blueberry plants for sale at Advanced Nursery Growers in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. ‘Emerald’ is a vigorous Southern Highbush blueberry developed by the University of Florida for warm, low-chill climates. It is known for producing heavy crops of large, firm, sweet blueberries on an attractive upright-spreading bush.

Emerald blueberries grow in tight clusters and ripen gradually, providing an extended picking season rather than all the berries ripening at once. The fruit has a pleasing sweet flavor and is excellent for eating fresh, freezing, baking, preserves, or adding to breakfast and desserts. Small white, bell-shaped flowers appear before the berries and attract bees and other beneficial pollinators.

This variety is a good Southern Highbush option for North Florida and the Florida Panhandle. UF/IFAS includes ‘Emerald’ among the limited Southern Highbush varieties that may produce reliably in the Panhandle. However, Southern Highbush blueberries flower early, so blossoms and young fruit may need protection during late-winter or early-spring freezes.

Plant Emerald in full sun and acidic, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Blueberries perform best at a soil pH of approximately 4.0 to 5.5. Pine bark, peat moss, or another acidic organic amendment can help improve Florida’s sandy soil while retaining moisture around the shallow root system. Keep the soil evenly moist, especially while the plant is becoming established and while berries are developing, but never leave the roots sitting in water.

Emerald can produce fruit by itself, but planting another compatible Southern Highbush blueberry nearby generally improves pollination, berry size, and overall production. Plant the different varieties within approximately 20 to 50 feet of one another so visiting bees can easily move between them. UF/IFAS recommends mixed-variety plantings for improved Southern Highbush pollination.

Plant Details

• Plant Type: Perennial fruiting shrub; Southern Highbush blueberry
• Botanical Name: Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid ‘Emerald’
• Mature Size: Approximately 5–6 feet tall and 4–5 feet wide
• Growth Habit: Vigorous, upright-spreading bush
• Sun: Full sun for the best flowering and fruit production
• USDA Zones: Generally recommended for Zones 8–10
• Chill Hours: Low chill; approximately 100–400 hours
• Bloom Time: Late winter to early spring
• Harvest Time: Usually April through May in Florida, depending on weather and location
• Fruit: Large, firm, medium-to-dark blue berries with sweet flavor
• Harvest Season: Extended because the berries ripen gradually
• Pollination: Self-fruitful, but production improves with another Southern Highbush variety nearby
• Soil: Acidic, rich in organic matter and very well drained
• Preferred Soil pH: Approximately 4.0–5.5
• Water: Consistent moisture with good drainage
• Spacing: Approximately 4–5 feet apart
• Landscape Uses: Home orchards, edible landscapes, berry gardens, hedgerows and large containers
• ATTRACTS POLLINATORS: Flowers provide an early food source for bees

‘Emerald’ has a low chilling requirement, high yield potential, vigorous growth and large, high-quality berries.

Best Pollinator Partners

For improved fruit set and larger harvests, plant Emerald with another Southern Highbush blueberry that blooms during a similar period.

Good partners from our blueberry selection include:

• Jewel Southern Highbush Blueberry
• Farthing Southern Highbush Blueberry
• Springhigh Southern Highbush Blueberry
• Sweetcrisp Southern Highbush Blueberry

Do not use a Rabbiteye blueberry as Emerald’s primary pollinator partner. Choose another Southern Highbush variety.

North Florida Growing Note

Emerald is one of the better-established Southern Highbush choices for North Florida and the Florida Panhandle, but it flowers earlier than most Rabbiteye blueberries. Be prepared to cover smaller plants or otherwise protect flowers and developing berries when a late freeze is expected. Gardeners wanting a later-blooming, somewhat easier blueberry may also consider Rabbiteye varieties such as Brightwell, Climax or powderblue.