Blueberry Sunshine Blue 68mm
68mm Pot
NEW POT SIZE!
Blueberry Sunshine Blue (Vaccinium corymbosum x ashei x darrowi) is a dwarf semi evergreen bush producing masses of large sweet berries in late spring and summer.
This variety is self fertile so another plant nearby is not required, making it perfect for smaller gardens. Blueberry Sunshine Blue is frost tolerant and will reliably produce fruit without a cold winter making this variety is well suited to all parts of Australia. This compact variety is also more tolerant of a higher soil pH than other varieties so it is far less tricky to grow than other varieties.
Suitable for growing in a pot or the garden, delicious Blueberries will keep well refrigerated or frozen. Yield can be up to 6-9 kg per plant when mature. Prefers a full sun to part shade position and requires an acid soil to grow well.
Supplied as a potted plant.
Important Reminder: While we take great care in the realistic representation of our products, many variables such as climatic conditions, natural variation or manufacturing changes may affect the precise appearance of each variety. Generally, images used are of mature specimens whilst supplied stock may be dormant or juvenile plants that will develop with time. The images are intended as a guide only.
- Frost tolerant once established
- Suitable for areas with full sun
- Suitable for areas with part shade
- Ideal in pots or containers
- Grows 1m wide
- Grows to 1m high
- Spring
- Ideal Growing Regions:
- Cool
- Temperate
- Arid
- Semi-arid
- Mild Tropical
- Tropical
- View growing regions on the Climate Map
Availability: OUT OF STOCK/OUT OF SEASON! Available to order unless sold out.
$11.40
Multibuy Prices
Buy 3 or more of this item and get them for $10.90 per item
*Price adjustments will be reflected in the cart.
Out of stock
Send me an email when this item is back in stock.
Not for the following states due to quarantine restrictions
- NT
- SA
- TAS
- WA
Money-Back Guarantee
At Garden Express, we want to ensure that you have a positive purchasing experience. On the off chance your plants get stuck in the mail or haven’t arrived in the best condition, we ask that you reach out to us promptly with any concerns or issues. You can contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone at 1300 606 242, Monday to Friday EST, contacting us through social media platforms may be less reliable, so we encourage you to use our email.
Please note that it’s important to get in touch with our customer service team within 7 days of receiving your order if you have any concerns as claims regarding arrival condition after 7 days of arrival will not be recognised.
Please also remember not to dispose of any items until you’ve spoken to us, as to be eligible for a replacement, credit, or refund, we may request photos or additional information for any item(s) in question.
If you need to make a return, please contact our Customer Service department via email at [email protected] or by phone at 1300 606 242 for authorisation before proceeding. Once again contacting us through social media platforms may be less reliable, so we encourage you to use our email or phone number for a smoother experience.
It is also important to mention that discounted ‘end-of-season’ stock is sold on an ‘as is’ basis and is exempt from this guarantee. While this stock is generally sound, we recommend planting these items as soon as possible.
Our team packs and dispatches each day based on the best timing of delivery service to your state. This way we can ensure your order is in transit for the shortest time possible.
Delivery is normally via Australia Post with larger orders delivered via StarTrack Express* courier. We service virtually all areas of Australia with only those areas not serviced by these organisations being excluded (e.g. remote islands and Territories such as Christmas Island, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Cocos Islands, Groote Eylandt). We do not deliver outside Australia but happily deliver orders placed from overseas for Australian delivery. Our regular delivery charge for basic items is $12.50 Australia-wide, regardless of the number of items ordered. Due to their higher freight costs, bulky or heavy products such as roses, large pots and a small number of hard goods have higher delivery charges. The summary of all current delivery options is:
- Basic Postage $12.50: Applies to orders NOT containing Roses, 120mm and larger pots/grow-bags, Bare-rooted Trees, Composting Buckets, nor any items with individually specified delivery charges, all delivered at one time, will incur the normal $12.50 freight charge. These items are referred to as “Basic Items“.
- Roses & Larger Potted Items $16.90: Applies to orders containing bush Roses, 120mm up to 155mm pot/grow-bags, Composting Buckets, together with other products delivered at the same time will incur a $16.90 freight charge. **Please Note: Multiples of these items may incur a larger freight fee depending on the quantity of pots in the order; this will be calculated at the checkout.
- Small Trees & Large Pots $25.50: Applies to orders containing Trixie Fruit Trees, Dwarf Fruit Trees, Lilac Trees, Standard and/or Patio Roses, 160mm up to a 200mm pot/grow-bags, together with other products delivered at the same time will incur a $25.50 freight charge. **Please Note: Multiples of these items may incur a larger freight fee depending on the quantity of pots in the order; this will be calculated at the checkout.
- Trees up to 1m $35.00: Applies to orders containing smaller bare-rooted trees up to 1m in height. Larger items or pots/grow-bags greater than 200mm, together with other products delivered at the same time, will incur a $35.00 freight charge. Remote areas may incur an additional Freight charge but we will notify customers individually if this is the case. **Please Note: Multiples of these items may incur a larger freight fee depending on the sizes and quantity of items in the order; this will be calculated at the checkout.
- Trees 1m up to 1.49m $50.00: Applies to orders containing bare-rooted trees between 1 to 1.49m in height. Bare Rooted trees 1m to 1.5m in height, together with other products delivered at the same time, will incur a $50.00 freight charge. Remote areas may incur an additional Freight charge but we will notify customers individually if this is the case. **Please Note: Multiples of these items may incur a larger freight fee depending on the sizes and quantity of items in the order; this will be calculated at the checkout.
- Trees 1.5m up to 2m $85.00: Applies to orders containing bare-rooted trees between 1.5 to 2m in height. Bare Rooted trees 1.5m to 2m in height, together with other products delivered at the same time, will incur a $85.00 charge. This consists of $65.00 Freight Fee and $20 Oversize Surcharge, as charged by the Courier. Remote areas may incur an additional Freight charge but we will notify customers individually if this is the case. **Please Note: Multiples of these items may incur a larger freight fee depending on the sizes and quantity of items in the order; this will be calculated at the checkout.
- Trees 2m up to 3m $135.00: Applies to orders containing bare-rooted trees between 2 to 3m in height. Bare Rooted trees 2m to 3m in height, together with other products delivered at the same time, will incur a $135.00 charge. This consists of $95.00 Freight Fee and $40 Oversize Surcharge, as charged by the Courier. Remote areas may incur an additional Freight charge but we will notify customers individually if this is the case. **Please Note: Multiples of these items may incur a larger freight fee depending on the sizes and quantity of items in the order; this will be calculated at the checkout.
- Orders containing products with explicitly stated delivery charges will incur charges as detailed in the individual product description.
- Express Post: If you require your order to be sent Express Post, please call our office and we will arrange a quote. Please Note: Quarantine orders cannot be sent using Express Post; our experience is that it will actually delay your order due to the inspection process required for entry into these states.
- Order Split Fee: Some items may be delayed due to climatic or growing habits prevent them from being harvested at the time of being offered for purchase. You will be offered a choice to wait until all items on your order are available or to receive what is currently available for an additional freight charge of $5.00.
- We continue to maintain the simplest form of postage costs for the large variety of products we range, however in occasional circumstances of oversized orders and/or delivery location, the cost of freight can significantly impact delivery of an order therefore we reserve the right to refuse the order or contact the customer to discuss freight options and pricing.
Orders containing products from two different seasons (eg Rose or spring bulb pre-orders) that require separate deliveries will incur two delivery charges at the relevant rates (unless a free freight offer applies). A $5.00 Quarantine Inspection Surcharge applies in addition to the Delivery Charge for orders delivered to Tasmania, Northern Territory and Western Australia due to the increased complexity of quarantine requirements.
As quarantine inspections apply to each delivery, 2 quarantine charges will apply where orders contain products from different seasons. *Please note that if you order large items (eg Patio, Standard or Weeping Roses, Fruit Trees) you must specify a street address for the delivery address. StarTrack Express generally do not deliver to PO Boxes or RSD addresses so your order will be held until a suitable address is obtained. In rural areas, StarTrack may deliver to physical addresses such as general stores that act as Australia Post agencies but we suggest you check with them first. Where ”Free Delivery” vouchers apply to an order, details of the voucher should be entered in the “Your message to us” field. Orders (except Pre-orders) are normally despatched within 7-14 working days from the time of ordering during busy periods. Delivery times may be extended during peak periods (typically following the release of the latest catalogue), extended public holidays, if extreme weather conditions are not suitable for live plant transport or as detailed in the product description.
Individual items may be back-ordered to avoid delaying the delivery of other items. Please allow additional delivery time for orders to Tasmania, Northern Territory and Western Australia due to quarantine restrictions.
Please note: Some orders may not be possible to parts of Australia due to quarantine and some items may carry unique delivery charges. Check full delivery policy.
Delicious Blueberries are easy to grow in your own garden so long as a few essential rules are followed:
Soil: This is by far the most important piece of the puzzle. Blueberries require an acid soil so if Azaleas and Camellias don’t grow well in your area then you will struggle with Blueberries unless you can make the soil right for them. A well-drained organic-rich soil is essential, and a soil pH testing kit is an essential tool for anyone planning on growing Blueberries. Check your soil using the kit; the reading needs to be 4.5 to 5.5.
To lower soil pH dig through organic matter, peat, pine needles, aluminium sulphate or sulphur when preparing the soil. Please be aware that all of these different products have different reactive times, with some having an immediate effect and others taking some time to work their magic. Good quality potting mix for Azaleas and Camellias can also be dug through the soil with good results, but ensure the soil is monitored on a regular basis to make sure it stays quite low.
In Pots: For best results use a premium potting mix for Azaleas and Camellias and select a fairly large pot. In warmer months a layer of mulch will help keep the fine root system cool, and ensure plants are fertilised every 3-4 months with a slow-release fertiliser for Azaleas /Camellias (to help keep the correct soil pH). Top dress the soil every year in Spring with fresh potting mix and repot when the plant starts to grow too large for the pot. Regular watering is essential; remember, the quality and taste of the fruit is completely reliant on the quality of the growing conditions.
Positioning: Full sun, or at the very least, 4-6 hours of sunlight, preferably afternoon sun is required for good fruit ripening.
Watering: Whilst Blueberries will not tolerate waterlogged soil, regular and deep watering is essential for a good crop.
Protection from Birds: Blueberries are also a very tasty treat for birds, and as we cannot harvest them until ripe, the chances of picking them before the birds is very slim without some form of netting to protect them. It is recommended a frame is built over the Blueberry patch to ensure you get to enjoy the fruits of your labour, but ensure bird netting is used as bees are needed to pollinate the flowers.
General Information:
- Most Blueberries need a chilling period in order to set fruit. For warmer areas, Rabbiteye types are more suitable, or the evergreen Sunshine Blue which is very reliable without a cold Winter. Rabbiteye types need a different variety nearby for cross-pollination. Highbush types are more suited to cooler climates and whilst a second variety is not essential for cross-pollination, it does result in better size and quality fruit.
- Plants generally begin cropping at about 2 years old, and pruning is required to ensure good fruiting year after year. Whilst the aim of pruning any fruit tree should be to create an open vase-shaped plant, the removal of any spindly and dead looking branches in late Winter/ early Spring is recommended. Ideally, we would also remove flowers from the developing plants for the first few seasons too so they have adequate time to develop good strong roots and growth before fruiting starts in earnest. Plants can be tip pruned by about 1/3 during the growing season to keep growth fairly compact but this is not essential.
- Do not harvest your fruit too early. Blueberries will not ripen after being picked so give them at least a week after they have fully darkened to sweeten up. Always test taste a few berries to make sure they are ready, and be careful not to damage the shoots on branches as this is where next year’s crop will come from.
- Blueberries freeze exceptionally well, and this is the best way of preserving most of the nutrient goodness in the fruit. Wash and pick out any damaged fruit and pat dry before spreading out in a single layer and freeze until solid. Once frozen berries can be placed into a plastic bag or container for safe storage.
Legend
Establish which coloured region you live in and then consider the varieties listed as typically suited to that area. The Australian Climate Guide map is intended as a guide only as climatic conditions vary between specific locations. Factors such as local altitude, wind and the proximity of hills, mountains and bodies of water can cause variations from the generalised climate map. Note also that although a plant may be listed as suitable for a particular region, it may still require protection from extremes such as frost or strong winds. You should also consider its requirements for sun, shade and water.
Remember that you can often extend the range of plants that you can grow by creating micro-climates within your garden. Planting under trees, beside brick walls or in the shelter of a building, on high or low points in the garden can all have an effect. Even planting by a pond or surrounded by rocks can be used to advantage. Part of the joy of gardening can be experimenting and nothing is more pleasing that achieving success with a plant that is not usually seen in your area.
The map is based on Australian Bureau of Meteorology 30 year climatology data from 1961-1990. The zones are based on both temperature and humidity:
- Tropical – hot humid summer .
- Mild Tropical – warm humid summer
- Semi-arid – hot dry summer, cold winter
- Arid – hot dry summer, cold winter
- Temperate – warm summer, cool winter
- Cool – mild-warm summer, cool winter