Vaccinium corymbosum Duke- American Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum 'Duke' is a moderately vigorous variety with slow growth, abundant and early production, yielding large blueberries that can be harvested from the end of June. Like most American Blueberries, the foliage turns beautiful red colours in autumn. Extremely hardy, this variety is relatively easy to grow in non-limestone soil and requires little maintenance. Although self-fertile, fruiting is even more abundant when planted near other varieties.

The Blueberry Bush belongs to the Ericaceae family, well known in gardens for its many ornamental genera. The shrubby blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), native to North America, is the one cultivated in gardens for its abundant and high-quality fruiting. It is a perfectly hardy bush with deciduous foliage that falls in autumn. It is grown in very acidic soil (it is not tolerant to limestone) and prefers partial shade, for example morning sun.

The 'Duke' variety is the result of a complex cross-breeding between different other varieties: ('Ivanhoe' x 'Earliblue) x [(Berkeley x Earliblue) x (Coville x Atlantic)]. This variety was introduced to the market in 1987 and is cultivated by Canadian and American producers, from Quebec to Texas, as well as on the West Coast. It can withstand temperatures down to -30°C. Its small white flowers only appear in May. Duke is a relatively slow-growing bush, forming a medium-sized bush (1.80m (6ft) at maturity and 1.50m (5ft) wide) with a rather rigid habit due to its quite thick branches. The foliage consists of elliptical and pointed medium green leaves that turn beautiful autumn colours in shades of red, which is an additional attraction of this plant. Despite its rather late flowering, this bush bears fruit early, from the end of June. This variety is known for its high yields, producing large firm pruinose blue fruits with a sweet, well-flavoured, and low acidity juice. These fruits can be stored longer than those of other varieties.

Blueberries are low in calories but high in nutritional value: they are very rich in vitamins A, B, and C, calcium, and iron. They contain pigments (anthocyanins) that improve night vision. Their numerous qualities make them a superfood, in addition to being a delicious fruit! Blueberries can be consumed fresh, in juice, jam, jelly, sorbet, or in pastries (pies, muffins etc.). The fruit can be stored for about ten days after picking and can be frozen for longer preservation.

Plant 'Duke' in groups with other varieties of Vaccinium corymbosum to ensure better yields. Choose later varieties to ensure a spread of your harvests. It is also a good idea to plant the Fall Gold Raspberry nearby, a perpetual variety that produces in late August and again in October. Its yellow fruits are very sweet and low in acidity, just like Duke. Like the Blueberry Bush, it also prefers partial shade and a slightly acidic and moist soil.