Vaccinium corymbosum Rubel- American Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum 'Rubel' is a fairly vigorous variety, with faster growth than other Blueberries. This mid-season variety is very productive, producing pretty little flowers in May that develop into dark blueberries, ready to be harvested in August. They are highly concentrated in antioxidants. Like most American Blueberries, its foliage turns beautiful shades of red and orange in autumn. Although self-fertile, fruiting will be better if other varieties are planted nearby.

The Blueberry Bush belongs to the Ericaceae family, 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 very hardy shrub, with deciduous foliage that colours beautifully before falling in autumn. It is grown in very acidic soil (not tolerant of limestone), in a semi-shaded position, for example in the morning sun.

The 'Rubel' variety was obtained in 1912 in the United States, in New Jersey. It is a very productive variety with consistent yields, known for having the highest concentration of antioxidants: about double that of other varieties! It is a relatively fast-growing shrub compared to other varieties, with an upright and rather dense habit, which explains the good yield despite the small size of the fruit. It reaches up to 1.80m (6ft) in height and 1m (3ft) to 1.20m (4ft) in width, and its foliage consists of elliptical and pointed leaves of a fairly dark green colour. Its branches take on magnificent autumnal colours, mostly in shades of red or orange, which, in addition to its production of small fruits, makes it a decorative shrub at the end of the season. Flowering takes place in May, in the form of small white bells, 0.5 to 1 cm long, gathered in pendulous clusters 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) long, at the end of the stems. They develop into small berries of a very dark blue colour, almost black, which are also decorative - until they are harvested, of course. These small-sized berries are spherical in shape and usually ripen in the first half of August. Firm, they have a sweet taste, slightly acidic, and are very aromatic. This variety reaches maturity after 4 to 5 years.

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 many qualities earn them the title of superfood, especially this variety, which is particularly rich in antioxidants. Rubel berries can be consumed freshly picked or cooked, especially in pastries (pies, muffins etc.). The fruit can be stored for about ten days after picking and can be frozen for longer preservation.

You can plant 'Rubel' together with other varieties of Vaccinium corymbosum if you want to ensure beautiful harvests. For variety, plant the Aronia prunifolia Nero nearby, a shrub of comparable size that produces edible black fruits in October and also colours beautifully in autumn. You can also incorporate your Blueberry plants into a diverse bed of ornamental ericaceous plants. At the edge of the bed, plant Callunas, or Summer Heather, such as 'Winter Chocolate', a surprising variety with purple flowers from August to October and foliage that changes colour with the seasons. It will create a beautiful contrast with the dark green foliage of Rubel. And if the size of your bed allows, provide it with some shade by planting a Cercidiphyllum japonicum, the caramel tree (it's not a legend, on some days at the end of the season, it actually emits this characteristic smell). Its beautiful heart-shaped foliage becomes multicoloured in autumn, it's a splendour.