Blueray Blueberry
Northern Highbush · Zones 4–7 · Early to mid
Where to buy Plan its pollination partner
An older variety kept alive by one argument: taste. Blueray produces large, aromatic berries with the kind of full flavor newer firmness-bred varieties sometimes trade away, and it handles both hot summers and cold winters well. Pink-tinged flowers and burgundy fall foliage make it a genuine landscape plant too.
Specifications
| Type | Northern Highbush |
| USDA zones | 4–7 |
| Chill hours | ~800 hours below 45°F (sources vary slightly by nursery stock — confirm with your seller) |
| Harvest season | Early to mid |
| Mature size | 4–6 ft tall |
| Berry | Large |
| Flavor (nursery descriptions) | Rich, sweet, old-fashioned dessert flavor — often rated a flavor favorite |
| Expected yield | Mature highbush commonly 10–20 lb per bush in good years |
| Container suitable | Better in the ground; very large pots only |
Pollination
This variety is self-fertile, so one bush will fruit on its own — but a compatible second variety planted nearby reliably means more and larger berries, which is why nurseries and extension guides recommend planting in pairs or trios.
Good partners for Blueray:
- Bluecrop — Northern Highbush, Mid-season — the peak, zones 4–7
- Duke — Northern Highbush, Early — first of the season, zones 4–7
Before you plant
- Soil pH 4.5–5.5, tested before planting — the pH guide
- Full sun (6–8+ hours) and soil that never sits soggy
- Space highbush 4–5 ft apart, rabbiteye 5–6 ft, dwarfs 2–3 ft — planner
- Remove flowers in year one so the bush builds roots, not a handful of berries
Not sure Blueray fits your yard?
Run the Variety Finder with your zone and space — it only recommends varieties whose chill hours and size actually match.