An early-ripening blueberry that greets summer with sweet, firm fruit and a burst of cheerful blooms in spring
FEATURES:
- Sold in bundles
- Early-season variety for one of the first blueberry harvests
- Produces large, firm, flavorful berries
- Self-pollinating and highly productive
- Fragrant white blossoms attract pollinators in spring
- Brilliant orange and yellow fall foliage
- Excellent for fresh eating, baking, and freezing
- Ships on our trucks because of the size of the plant; does not fit in a box
- Due to federal and state laws, we are unable to ship bare root bundles to: GA, MI
Bower & Branch Landscape Design Tip
Plant Duke Blueberry in full sun and acidic, well-drained soil. If your soil is neutral or alkaline, amend it with peat moss, pine bark, or an acid-based planting mix. Water consistently during fruiting and mulch to help maintain moisture and keep roots cool. Prune in late winter to remove old, woody canes and promote vigorous new growth. Duke is self-pollinating, but pairing it with another highbush variety will increase your yield and fruit size. Its early ripening makes it the perfect way to kick off your summer berry harvest.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-7
- Mature Height: 4-6' tall
- Mature Width: 4-6' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Spacing: 4-6' apart
An early-ripening blueberry that greets summer with sweet, firm fruit and a burst of cheerful blooms in spring
FEATURES:
- Sold in bundles
- Early-season variety for one of the first blueberry harvests
- Produces large, firm, flavorful berries
- Self-pollinating and highly productive
- Fragrant white blossoms attract pollinators in spring
- Brilliant orange and yellow fall foliage
- Excellent for fresh eating, baking, and freezing
- Ships on our trucks because of the size of the plant; does not fit in a box
- Due to federal and state laws, we are unable to ship bare root bundles to: GA, MI
Bower & Branch Landscape Design Tip
Plant Duke Blueberry in full sun and acidic, well-drained soil. If your soil is neutral or alkaline, amend it with peat moss, pine bark, or an acid-based planting mix. Water consistently during fruiting and mulch to help maintain moisture and keep roots cool. Prune in late winter to remove old, woody canes and promote vigorous new growth. Duke is self-pollinating, but pairing it with another highbush variety will increase your yield and fruit size. Its early ripening makes it the perfect way to kick off your summer berry harvest.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-7
- Mature Height: 4-6' tall
- Mature Width: 4-6' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Spacing: 4-6' apart
Why plant Duke Highbush Blueberry?
Professional berry growers favor Duke Highbush Blueberry for its many fine qualities. This superior selection wins out by virtue of its strong growth, hardiness, and productivity, and its medium-large fruits are uniform and taste pleasantly tart, like a blueberry should. Go with the pros’ choice in your own garden. With Duke Blueberry, you’ll have loads of picture-perfect fruit that tastes delicious! Blueberry pie, blueberry cobbler, blueberry muffins, blueberry smoothies—imagine how many treats you will make with them! Every year, you’ll look forward to berry season and coming up with new ways to enjoy them. Scrumptious.
How to use Duke Highbush Blueberry in the landscape?
Take the time to appreciate Duke Highbush Blueberry’s exquisite flowers in the spring. The dainty white blossoms, shaped like tiny, upside-down urns, make a pleasing show. You’ll also enjoy the glowing orange-yellow color that Duke’s foliage takes on in fall. A delightful Accent with or without fruit!
How To Plant Duke Highbush Blueberry
Acid soil is key to growing Blueberries successfully. These peat-loving Accents require very low–pH conditions in order to thrive. If your soil isn’t naturally acidic, you may want to grow Duke Blueberry in a large container or raised bed. Give it all-day sun if possible and use lots of organic matter—both as a soil amendment and as mulch. Duke Blueberry is self-pollinating, so you don’t need to plant another variety nearby. It’s perfect for owners of small gardens who don’t have the space for multiple plants.
How To Water
Water twice weekly for the first 3-5 weeks; then water weekly for the remainder of the year until winter. When you water, water very slowly and very thoroughly. The water needs to reach to the bottom of the root ball and that takes time. Watering needs may be altered due to extreme weather conditions.
How To Prune
Not much pruning is required, however, you can prune in late winter to early sprung to thin out the branching. This will help maintain the plant size and make harvesting easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Duke is an early-season variety that typically ripens in late June, offering one of the first blueberry harvests of the year.
Yes. Duke is self-pollinating, but planting it near another variety such as Bluecrop or Chandler can improve yields and berry size.
Duke stands out for its early harvest, firm berries, and balanced sweetness. It’s also a strong, cold-hardy grower that provides reliable crops even in cooler climates.
