Plant Quick Guide

Growing Zones:

7-9.

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:

350-400

Growth Rate:

Fast

Harvest Time:

Early June

Years to Bear:

2-4 years

Pollinator:

Semi-Self. For larger crop plant another rabbit eye with similar chill hours. Try Austin or Powder Blue

Does Not Ship To:

AK, AZ, CA, HI, PR

Blueberry - Brightwell (Rabbit Eye)

Vaccinium virgatum
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-9.
$34.95
SKU: BLUBRI01G
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Description

Brightwell Blueberry is a reliable and productive rabbiteye blueberry variety prized for its vigorous growth, abundant harvests, and deliciously sweet fruit. Named after Dr. James N. Brightwell, this variety is a favorite among home gardeners and commercial growers alike for its adaptability and ease of care.

Key Features

  • Bountiful Harvests: Brightwell produces large clusters of medium-sized, sweet blueberries with a delightful flavor. The berries ripen mid to late season, making it a perfect complement to earlier-ripening varieties.
  • Vigorous Growth: This variety is a fast-growing, upright shrub with attractive foliage, making it a dual-purpose plant for fruit production and landscaping.
  • Pollination Partners: Though partially self-pollinating, Brightwell yields best when paired with other rabbiteye varieties such as Powderblue, Tifblue, or Climax.

Mature Size

  • Height: 6–10 feet
  • Spread: 5–7 feet

USDA Hardiness Zones

  • Zones 7–9

Care Instructions

  • Soil Requirements: Plant in well-draining, acidic soil with a pH of 4.5–5.5. Amending with organic matter such as peat moss can improve soil conditions.
  • Sunlight: Full sun (6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily) is essential for optimal growth and fruit production.
  • Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during the establishment period and fruiting season.
  • Fertilization: Feed with an acid-loving plant fertilizer in early spring and again after harvest for vigorous growth.
  • Pruning: Prune during late winter to remove dead or crossing branches and encourage healthy airflow and berry production.

Brightwell Blueberry is a dependable and rewarding choice for gardeners seeking an easy-to-grow, prolific variety that delivers flavorful blueberries year after year. Add this Southern favorite to your garden and enjoy fresh, homegrown berries that are perfect for snacking, baking, and preserving!

More Information: Blueberry Growing Guide

blueberry-austin,blueberry-powder-blue
Shipping
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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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