Vaccinium ashei “Premier & Climax”

Product Info

Rabbiteye BLueberry  (Vaccinium ashei 'Premier' & 'Climax')
Heath Family

Vaccinium ashei ‘Premier’ and ‘Climax’ are two early-season rabbiteye blueberry cultivars well-suited for the Piedmont of NC and other hot, humid southern areas.. Both are vigorous,reaching 6 to 10 feet in height with a similar spread, featuring an upright, bushy form and attractive seasonal interest. In early spring, they produce abundant clusters of bell-shaped white to pale pink flowers that support native pollinators, followed by a heavy yield of dark blue berries ripening from late spring to early summer. While both cultivars are partially self-fertile, planting them together significantly enhances fruit set and yield due to their overlapping bloom times and compatible genetics. This makes them excellent pollination partners for anyone establishing a productive blueberry patch. Like all rabbiteye blueberries, they thrive in acidic, well-drained soils and benefit from full sun. Blueberries need specialized soil amendments and pruning for optimal fruit production. In addition to their fruiting value, these native shrubs provide ecological benefits by attracting pollinators and birds, and they make attractive additions to mixed borders, wildlife gardens, or naturalized settings.

• Blooms: White/Pink, 2-3 weeks, Mar-Apr
• Leaves: Glossy green, turning shades of red or orange in the fall
• Height: 6-10’
• Space:6-10’
• Soil:Acidic, well-drained
• Exposure:Full sun-Part sun-Part shade
• Fauna: High value, host plant for lepidoptera, feeds specialists and early pollinators, fruit for wildlife
• Seeds: Dark blue berries with a firm skin and sweet-tart flavor. Each berry contains tiny, soft seeds that are barely noticeable when eaten
• Deer Resistance:Low
• Zone:7-9
• Native Status: Native to FL, LA, MS, & AL
• Provenance:Unknown, asexually produced