Vaccinium corymbosum Lucky Berry

The Vaccinium corymbosum 'Lucky Berry' is a variety with a dwarf and compact habit, capable of producing delicious fruits consistently for 4 months, from July to October. Due to its small size, not exceeding 0.80 to 1 m (3ft), this fruit bush adapts to many uses in the garden. The highly decorative flowering occurs from June to September. It consists of pretty white flowers that attract pollinating insects. To balance or adapt the plant to its space, pruning can be done to the desired height, in late winter. Very resistant to cold, it requires little maintenance and thrives in a fairly acidic and humus-bearing soil, preferably in the shade. Self-fertile, a single plant is sufficient to obtain a bountiful harvest, but a few other blueberry varieties can be planted nearby for an even more abundant fruiting.

The Blueberry, in Latin Vaccinium corymbosum, belongs to the Ericaceae family, just like Cranberries, heathers, and rhododendrons. The blueberry, also known as Highbush Blueberry or American Blueberry, is native to North America, where it grows naturally in acidic, moist, sandy, or peaty soils, along lakes and watercourses, in heathlands, undergrowth, and meadows in mountainous regions, up to 1600 m (5249ft) altitude. This species is cultivated in Europe, in a large number of cultivars selected for the quality and quantity of their fruits. Extremely cold-hardy (down to -30°C (-22°F)), this deciduous shrub, which loses its leaves in autumn, cannot tolerate limestone at all and needs to be grown in a very acidic soil (pH 4 to 5.5).

The Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Lucky Berry’ is part of a highly innovative range of fruit plants distributed under the Lucky Berry brand. It complements a range consisting of a blackberry, a strawberry, a raspberry, and a fig tree. All have been selected for their long harvest periods with high yields, sweet and juicy fruits, on compact vegetation suitable for container cultivation, while also being resistant to winter and diseases. This blueberry variety forms a bushy shrub with a very compact habit, reaching a height of 80 cm (32in) with a spread of 60 to 80 cm (24 to 32in). Like most Blueberries, its growth is relatively slow. The foliage consists of medium green elliptical and pointed leaves, measuring 6 to 7 cm (2 to 3in) long and about 3 cm (1in) wide. As an additional attraction, the branches take on beautiful autumnal colours in shades of red. The flowering occurs almost continuously, from late May to mid-September. The flowers appear in the form of small white bells, 0.5 to 1 cm (<1in) long, grouped in pendulous clusters 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) long, at the ends of the stems. They are attractive to bees and pollinating insects in the garden. This is followed by the formation of numerous clusters composed of elongated fruits shaped like teardrops, 10 to 13 mm (0 to 1in) long, bluish-purple in color and covered with a slight whitish bloom. The berries contain firm and juicy white pulp, containing the seeds.

Blueberry picking starts from July and continues until October, offering the advantage of staggered harvesting for many culinary delights. Blueberries should be picked when fully ripe, when they are dark blue-black, they are then sweet and tangy, juicy and flavourful. It is a delicate fruit that must be carefully picked, a light water rinse is possible. They keep better in the refrigerator. Picking is easy and it is very enjoyable to either enjoy the fruits on the spot or pick them for various culinary uses: jellies, jams, sorbets, coulis, syrups, juices, liqueurs, crumbles, muffins ... not to mention the famous blueberry pies. Low in calories, but rich in minerals (manganese, potassium, magnesium, iron), vitamins C and K, fibre, and antioxidants, blueberries contribute to a balanced diet.

Hardy down to -30°C (-22°F), the 'Lucky Berry' Blueberry thrives in slightly to very acidic soil, with a preference for fertile, well-drained, and moist soils, especially without limestone. Once established, it quickly forms a magnificent ornamental plant for your garden. This low-growing variety can easily be grown in containers, making it perfect for balconies and terraces, in a patio or a city garden. In the ground, it can be associated with other fruit trees to create a small edible hedge, but always avoiding overly sunny exposures. In this hedge, it can intertwine with the Mayberry (Lonicera kamchatka), raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, currants, or blackcurrants. These plants are vigorous and undemanding, making them perfectly suited for a natural garden. In an ornamental garden, the Lucky Berry blueberry will blend beautifully with ericaceous shrubs, bringing the colouration of its foliage, the intensity and duration of its flowering and fruiting.