Plant Quick Guide

Growing Zones:

9-Jun

Mature Height:

5-6 ft

Mature Width:

3-4 ft

Sunlight:

Full (6-8 hours)

Spacing:

2-3 ft for hedge; 3-4 ft individual

Chill Hours:

600-650

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Harvest Time:

Late June - Early Aug

Years to Bear:

2-4 years

Pollinator:

Needed. For larger crop plant another rabbit eye with similar chill hours. Try Tifblue or Powder Blue

Does Not Ship To:

AK, AZ, CA, HI, PR

Blueberry - DeSoto (Rabbit Eye)

Vaccinium virgatum
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-Jun
$59.95
SKU: BLUDES05G
Size
Package Quantity
Description

The DeSoto Blueberry is a resilient and productive variety, known for its ability to thrive in a range of conditions and produce abundant, flavorful berries. With its compact growth and reliable performance, the DeSoto is an excellent choice for home gardeners looking to enjoy high-quality blueberries with minimal maintenance.

Key Features

  • High Yields: DeSoto is known for its generous fruit production, offering large clusters of berries that ripen evenly for easy harvesting.
  • Resilient and Hardy: This variety is well-suited to a variety of soil types and climates, making it an excellent choice for gardeners in a range of USDA zones.
  • Sweet, Flavorful Berries: The medium to large berries of DeSoto are sweet, juicy, and perfect for fresh eating, preserves, or baking.
  • Attractive Foliage: In addition to its berries, DeSoto offers beautiful green foliage that turns vibrant red and orange in the fall, adding ornamental value to your garden.
  • Compact Growth: DeSoto’s compact size makes it an ideal choice for smaller gardens, raised beds, or container planting.

Mature Size

  • Height: 4–5 feet
  • Spread: 3–4 feet

Care Instructions

  • Soil Requirements: DeSoto thrives in well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 4.5–5.5. Enhance soil structure with organic amendments like peat moss or pine bark.
  • Sunlight: Full sun (at least 6 hours per day) is essential for optimal fruit production and plant health.
  • Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Blueberries have shallow roots and benefit from regular watering, especially during dry spells.
  • Fertilization: Use a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, applying it in early spring and again after harvest to promote healthy growth and fruiting.
  • Pollination: While DeSoto is self-pollinating, planting it near other blueberry varieties can improve yields and enhance fruit quality.
  • Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or weak growth and maintain the plant’s shape. Regular pruning encourages better airflow and productivity.
  • Winter Protection: Mulch around the base of the plant to help insulate the roots during colder months and protect them from extreme temperatures.

Why Choose DeSoto Blueberry?

The DeSoto Blueberry is a perfect choice for gardeners seeking a reliable, easy-to-grow variety that delivers consistent, high-quality fruit. Its resilience to different growing conditions, compact growth, and flavorful berries make it a great option for home gardens, containers, and raised beds. Whether you’re enjoying fresh berries or preserving them for later, DeSoto will provide plenty of delicious fruit for years to come.

More Information: Blueberry Growing Guide
Shipping
Florida FedEx Transit Times
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.

View details