Tifblue Blueberry Plant

Tifblue Blueberry is a time-tested rabbiteye variety known for its dependable production, vigorous growth, and flavorful mid- to late-season berries. Released by the University of Georgia in 1955, Tifblue remains a popular choice for home orchards and edible landscapes throughout the Southeast.

The small to medium-sized berries have good firmness and flavor. Allow the berries to ripen completely on the bush for the best sweetness, color, and eating quality. Tifblue is excellent for fresh eating, freezing, baking, jams, preserves, and homemade blueberry syrup.

Tifblue has performed very well in North Florida and the Florida Panhandle. Because it flowers later than early-season rabbiteye varieties, its flowers and young fruit are less likely to be damaged by a late winter or early spring freeze.

Plant Details

• Plant Type: Deciduous fruiting shrub
• Botanical Name: Vaccinium virgatum ‘Tifblue’
• Former Botanical Name: Vaccinium ashei ‘Tifblue’
• Blueberry Type: Rabbiteye
• Mature Size: Approximately 6–10 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide; size can be controlled through pruning
• Sun: Full sun for the best flowering, fruit production, and berry sweetness
• USDA Zones: 7–9
• Chill Hours: Approximately 600–700 hours
• Bloom Time: Mid- to late rabbiteye bloom season
• Harvest Time: Mid- to late season, generally late June through July in North Florida; harvest may continue into early August in some locations
• Fruit: Small to medium-sized blue berries
• Flavor: Good traditional blueberry flavor that becomes sweeter when fully ripe
• Texture: Firm fruit with good keeping quality
• Pollination: Requires another compatible rabbiteye blueberry with overlapping bloom time
• Soil: Acidic, moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter
• Preferred Soil pH: Approximately 4.0–5.5
• Water: Keep evenly moist during establishment and fruit development, but avoid waterlogged soil
• Growth Habit: Vigorous and upright
• Landscape Uses: Home orchards, edible landscapes, blueberry hedges, wildlife gardens, and pick-your-own plantings
• ATTRACTS POLLINATORS: Spring flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators

Tifblue normally requires approximately 600–700 chill hours and produces firm, flavorful berries during the mid- to late rabbiteye season.

Best Pollinator Partners

Tifblue is not reliably self-fruitful and should be planted near a different rabbiteye blueberry variety with similar bloom timing.

The strongest pollinator partners from our blueberry selection are:

• Powderblue Blueberry
• Brightwell Blueberry
• Ochlockonee Blueberry

University of Georgia guidance recommends Brightwell, Powderblue, and Ochlockonee as pollinators for Tifblue. Powderblue is an especially dependable partner because the two varieties have similar bloom and harvest periods.

Plant the varieties within approximately 50 feet of one another so bees can move easily between the flowers. Tifblue should be paired with another rabbiteye blueberry rather than depending on a Southern Highbush variety for pollination. Rabbiteye blueberries require cross-pollination from another rabbiteye cultivar for dependable fruit production.

North Florida Growing Note

Tifblue is a very good choice for North Florida and the Florida Panhandle. UF/IFAS reports that Tifblue, Brightwell, Powderblue, and Woodard have performed especially well in this region. These mid- to late-season rabbiteye varieties flower later than Climax, Beckyblue, and other early-season types, reducing the risk of freeze damage.

Tifblue has a higher chilling requirement than many rabbiteye varieties. It should receive adequate winter chill during most years around DeFuniak Springs, but fruit production may be reduced following an unusually warm winter with limited chill accumulation.

Plant in full sun and acidic, well-drained soil. Blueberries have shallow roots and benefit from approximately 3–4 inches of pine bark or pine straw mulch. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the main stems.

Avoid planting in low areas where water remains after heavy rain. If drainage is poor, plant the blueberry on a raised mound or in a raised bed.

Available primarily for local pickup at our nursery in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Please contact us before ordering if shipping will be required.

Wholesale availability may be offered on select sizes and quantities. Please contact us for current inventory and wholesale information.

Advanced Nursery Growers
1911 McLeod Road
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Call: 850-391-2228
Email: info@advancednurserygrowers.com