© 2024 South Carolina Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Best Blueberry Plants for South Carolina

Making It Grow! Minute logo

Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. Although fall is the best time to plant   trees and shrubs in South Carolina, some of the specialty fruit crops are only available for shipping in the spring. If you don’t have a backyard blueberry patch,  plant one now and know that both you and your yet unborn grandchildren can enjoy it – blueberries are that long-lived.

But do a little homework. Don’t be swayed by catalogue claims of fancy highbush types – for almost all of South Carolina   rabbiteye cultivars grow best. Blueberries will give you far more fruit if you plant at least two varieties that mature at the same time -- be it early, mid-season, or late. We have a dandy fact sheet at Clemson’s Home & Garden Information Center on blueberries – just search Clemson hgic blueberries to find it. Blueberries really like a specific pH so take a soil test, too.

Stay Connected
Amanda McNulty is a Clemson University Extension Horticulture agent and the host of South Carolina ETV’s Making It Grow! gardening program. She studied horticulture at Clemson University as a non-traditional student. “I’m so fortunate that my early attempts at getting a degree got side tracked as I’m a lot better at getting dirty in the garden than practicing diplomacy!” McNulty also studied at South Carolina State University and earned a graduate degree in teaching there.