Highbush Blueberry 'Spartan'

$49.99
Title

 The ‘Spartan’ Blueberry is a majestic garden staple that lives up to its mighty name with a tall, upright, and vigorous presence. In the spring, it is a vision of elegance, draped in dainty clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers that emerge from distinctive, deep-red buds. As summer arrives, the bush becomes heavily laden with magnificent, quarter-sized blue berries that contrast beautifully against glossy green foliage. Its year-round performance concludes with a breathtaking autumn display, as the leaves ignite into a brilliant tapestry of vivid orange and fiery yellow.

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Plant Details

Difficulty:

Easy

Zone:

4-8

Watering:

High

Years To Bear:

1–2

Plant Type:

Fruit Bush (Northern Highbush)

Light:

Full Sun/Partial Shade

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Spartan Blueberry, Spartan Northern Highbush Blueberry

Scientific Name:

Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Spartan’

Growth Details:

Mature Size: 4–6 feet tall and 4–5 feet wide.

Growth Habit/Form: Upright, spreading, and multi-stemmed with a rounded to oval crown.

Growth Rate: Medium to fast.

Longevity: Approximately 30 years under ideal conditions.

Features:

Large Fruit: Renowned for producing some of the largest berries of any early variety.

Ornamental: Prized for its vivid fall foliage and attractive winter bark.

Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and songbirds.

Uses: Excellent for fresh eating, baking, preserves, and as a productive hedge

Environmental Needs:

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade; thrives best with at least 6 hours of sun.

Soil Preferences: Strictly requires sandy, acidic soils (pH 4.0 to 5.5) rich in organic matter.

Soil Tolerance: Extremely sensitive to alkaline (high pH) soils, which cause yellowing of the foliage (chlorosis).

Watering: Consistent and high; avoid "standing water" but do not let the soil dry out.

Care Guide

Plant Care

Care:

Light Requirements: Best grown in full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily) for maximum fruit production and sweetness.

Moisture Requirements: Requires consistent and deep watering to keep the shallow root system moist but not waterlogged.

Maintenance & Fertilization: Apply a granular or liquid acidic fertilizer (like those for azaleas) in early spring before new growth begins. Prune in late winter to remove dead or non-fruiting branches and stimulate new growth

Tips For Success:

Acidify: If the soil is not naturally acidic, use sulphur or organic acid fertilizer to adjust the pH.

Thinning: Pinch off any flowers in the first year to redirect energy to root development.

Bird Protection: Use netting once the fruit turns blue to safeguard your harvest

Planting Considerations:

Best Time To Plant: Early spring while dormant.

Spacing: 3–5 feet apart in rows; 8–10 feet between rows.

Location Tips: Avoid urban streetside plantings due to sensitivity to pollution; choose a relatively sheltered location.

Fruit Profile

Size:

Large to very large (often as big as a quarter)

Colour:

Light powdery blue with a beautiful waxy bloom

Texture:

Firm and juicy.

Flavour:

Exceptional; a perfect balance of sweet and tangy with a rich, classic blueberry taste

Harvest Time:

Early summer (typically late July)

Pollination Requirements:

Partially self-fertile, but planting near another variety like 'Duke' or 'Patriot' will result in much larger berries and higher yields