North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Brungardt, Sam" <Sam.Brungardt@state.mn.us>]

Title: RE: [NAFEX] blueberries for Iowa

Toni might consider the half-high blueberry cultivars developed by the University of Minnesota.  They are hardy (with snowcover) to the minus 30s and have excellent-tasting fruit.   These cultivars differ considerably in mature plant size, which should give one alternatives in incorporating them in the home landscape or dealing with a relative lack of snow.

The 6 cultivars released so far: Northsky (12-18" tall, 1-3 lb. of fruit/bush), Northcountry (18-24", 3-5 lb.), Northblue (24-36", 3-9 lb.),  Polaris and Chippewa (30-40", 3-8 lb.) and St. Cloud (30-40", 2-7 lb.).

Good info on growing blueberries can be found in Blueberries for Home Landscapes (http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG3463.html) and Commercial Blueberry Production in Minnesota and Wisconsin (http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/components/2241-03.html). -- Sam Brungardt, St. Paul, Minn.

-----Original Message-----
From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Pete Tallman
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2007 10:09 AM
To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [NAFEX] blueberries for Iowa

Toni Pralle asked about zone 4 blueberries for Iowa. I'm not quite in that
area and zone, but my favorites so far are Nelson and Elliott, both listed
by Hartmann's as zone 4. They make a nice pair of varieties for early to
late season progression.

Check Hartmannn's varieties at http://www.hartmannsplantcompany.com/plants_bluecold.htm

Also see my blueberries writeup at http://home.comcast.net/~ptallman/blueberries.html

Pete Tallman
Longmont, CO   zone 5

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