Plant Quick Guide

Growing Zones:

6-9.

Mature Height:

6-10 ft

Mature Width:

6-8 ft

Sunlight:

Full (6-8 hours)

Spacing:

5-6 ft for hedge; 8-10 ft individual

Chill Hours:

450-550

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Harvest Time:

Late May-Early June

Years to Bear:

2-4 years

Pollinator:

Needed. For larger crop plant another rabbit eye with similar chill hours. Try Austin or Premier

Does Not Ship To:

AK, AZ, CA, HI, PR

Blueberry - Alapaha (Rabbit Eye)

Vaccinium virgatum
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9.
$34.95
SKU: BLUALA01G
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Description

The Alapaha Blueberry is a standout rabbiteye variety prized for its early ripening, vigorous growth, and outstanding fruit quality. This resilient and dependable blueberry thrives in warmer climates, making it an excellent choice for southern gardeners and commercial growers alike.

Key Features:

  • Early Ripening: One of the earliest rabbiteye varieties to fruit, providing delicious berries at the start of the season.
  • High-Quality Berries: Medium-sized, firm blueberries with a sweet flavor and excellent shelf life, perfect for fresh eating, baking, or preserving.
  • Heat and Drought Tolerant: Performs exceptionally well in hot, humid conditions, thriving where other varieties may struggle.
  • Ornamental Appeal: Glossy green foliage and vibrant fall colors make it a beautiful addition to any garden.

Maturity Size:

  • Height: 6–8 feet
  • Width: 4–6 feet

USDA Zones:

  • Suitable for Zones 6–9, thriving in the southeastern U.S. and other areas with mild winters.

Care Instructions:

  • Soil: Prefers acidic, well-drained soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Add organic matter to improve soil quality.
  • Sunlight: Requires full sun for optimal fruit production and plant vigor.
  • Watering: Provide consistent moisture, particularly during flowering and fruiting. Avoid waterlogging to prevent root issues.
  • Pollination: Alapaha is partially self-fertile but benefits from cross-pollination with other rabbiteye varieties like Brightwell, Powderblue, or Climax to maximize yields.
  • Pruning: Prune during the dormant season to remove weak or dead wood and encourage new, productive growth.
  • Mulching: Apply mulch around the base to conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.

Why Choose Alapaha Blueberry?

The Alapaha Blueberry is a top choice for gardeners and growers seeking an early-season harvest of sweet, high-quality blueberries. Its adaptability to warmer climates, combined with its disease resistance, vigorous growth, and delicious fruit, makes it a must-have for southern gardens and berry farms.

More Information: Blueberry Growing Guide

blueberry-austin,blueberry-premier
Shipping
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Ships from Florida
Tennessee FedEx Transit Times
Ships from Tennessee
Oregon FedEx Transit Times
Ships from Oregon

At Plant Me Green, we carefully handle, package, and ship every order to ensure your plants arrive healthy and ready to thrive. All orders ship via FedEx Home Delivery®, typically the next business day after checkout.

  • We offer $15 flat-rate shipping on all eligible orders.
  • Orders over $100 ship FREE.
  • Replacement tree shipments are $15 per box.

Plant Me Green ships from multiple nursery locations, including Oregon, Tennessee, and Florida. If your order contains items from more than one location, plants may ship separately and arrive at different times.

🚨 Please note: We are unable to hold orders. To ensure your plants arrive at the right time, please place your order as close as possible to when you would like to receive it.

If you have any questions concerning transit time for your order, please feel free to contact us at info@plantmegreen.com or toll free 855-817-5268.

Due to strict agricultural laws, we cannot ship to the following locations:

  • Alaska

  • Hawaii

  • Puerto Rico

  • International destinations

  • California and Arizona orders are limited to approved items only and may not apply to all products.
How to Plant
STEP 1) First, decide on a planting location. Consider carefully what kind of sun, soil, and growing-space your tree or shrub will need.
STEP 2) Once you've located the perfect spot, the hole you are digging must be at least double the width and as deep as the root system you are planting.
STEP 3) Remove the plant from the pot and place the root ball in the hole. The top of the root system should be level with the ground. Before placing the tree or shrub in the hole, use your hands to gently break up the root system.
STEP 4) Once the plant is in place, backfill the hole with native soil and any leftover potting material.
STEP 5) Pack down the soil to eliminate any air pockets.
STEP 6) When finished, water thoroughly.
Care Guide

Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Keep an area approximately 4 feet in diameter around the bush clear of grass and weeds to minimize competition for water and nutrients. Mulch in spring and fall with approximately 4-6 inches of acid mulch (pine bark, oak leaves). Pull mulch a couple of inches away from the trunk for good air circulation. Do NOT mulch with mushroom compost. Routine pruning of blueberries is unnecessary until plants are 3 years old. During this time, remove dead, damaged or diseased limbs. Cut any leggy growth so the plant will bush up. Make all cuts flush with the limb or the next largest branch. Do not leave stubs. For established rabbiteye blueberries, approximately one quarter of the oldest canes are pruned each year to encourage cane renewal. Three to four year-old canes have maximum fruit production, declining with age. Blueberries can be lightly topped right after fruit harvest to hold down the height of the plant. All heavy thinning cuts should be made in the dormant season.

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