Vaccinium corymbosum – description, flowering period and general distribution in Ontario. Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) in spring with blossoming flowers

Vaccinium corymbosum – description, flowering period and general distribution in Ontario. Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) blooming flowers on a branch

Vaccinium corymbosum – description, flowering period and general distribution in Ontario. Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) flowers closeup

Vaccinium corymbosum – description, flowering period and general distribution in Ontario. Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) flowers in close-up, interesting perspective

Vaccinium corymbosum – description, flowering period and general distribution in Ontario. Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) unripe fruit

Scientific name:

Vaccinium corymbosum

Common name(s):

Highbush blueberry, High-bush blueberry, Northern highbush blueberry, Tall blueberry, Rabbiteye blueberry, Blue huckleberry, Tall huckleberry, Swamp huckleberry, High blueberry, Swamp blueberry.

Life form:

Shrub.

Flowering time:

sporadically over a 60-90 days or north of latitude 44 degrees N., flowering is synchronous and lasts a maximum of 25 days.

Flowering period

in Ontario for this plant is: Late May ↔ June.

NECTAR PRODUCTION:
No data

SOURCE FOR HONEY BEES:
Minor in most areas

General distribution:

Highbush blueberry grows from northeastern Illinois and northern Indiana northeastward to southwestern Nova Scotia, south to Florida, and west to northeastern Texas and adjacent Oklahoma. The species is absent or rare in Missouri, central Ohio, western Kentucky, western Tennessee, West Virginia, and central Pennsylvania. It has been introduced outside of its natural range for commercial berry production in Wisconsin, Washington, British Columbia, and New Brunswick.

Map of distribution and habitat in Canada

This plant is present in at least 37 states/provinces in this country.

See The Map

Botanical description:

Vaccinium corymbosum is a deciduous shrub growing to 6–12 feet (1.8–3.7 m) tall and wide. It is often found in dense thickets. The dark glossy green leaves are elliptical and up to 2 inches (5 cm) long. In autumn, the leaves turn to brilliant red, orange, yellow, and/or purple. The flowers are long bell- or urn-shaped white to very light pink, 1⁄3 of an inch (8.5 mm) long. The fruit is a 1⁄4-to-1⁄2-inch (6.4 to 12.7 mm) diameter blue-black berry. This plant is found in wooded or open areas with moist acidic soils. The species is tetraploid and does not self-pollinate. Most cultivars have a chilling requirement greater than 800 hours.

Seasonal development:

In the southern portion of its range, highbush blueberry flowers sporadically over a 2 to 3 month period. North of latitude 44 degrees N., flowering is synchronous and lasts a maximum of 25 days. Flowers open as the leaves unfold or rarely when the leaves are half developed. Fruiting begins about 62 days after flowering and is thus asynchronous in the south and synchronous in the north.

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List of honey plants that may be blooming now in Ontario

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