Many of the varieties of blueberry grown are not suitable for the average homeowner's property due to the plants heights (12-15') and width (10"). That's where Vaccinium darrowii comes in. With heights and widths under 3', they can make a great addition to the home landscape. Known as a highbush variety of blueberry, Vaccinium darrowii is native to the southeastern US, where its natural habitat includes sand hills, scrub and pine flatwoods. Ideal growing conditions include full sun and acidic soils. 'John Blue' is a dwarf evergreen cultivar that was developed by North Carolina State University researchers from the native shrub. Spreading by rhizomes, this plant can form colonies over time. Pruning should be completed shortly after flowering, as the flowers bloom on old wood. The flowers will emerge before or along with the new spring leaves. Its berries can be eaten raw, or make a great choice for baked products such as muffins. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Occasionally browsed by deer that are attracted to the twigs.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheCotoneaster salicifolius 'Autumn Fire'Ilex vomitoria 'Dwarf'Rubus idaeus
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding; Rounded
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The small gray/blue leaves can become darker as they age.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Clusters of elongated, bell shaped flowers bloom in the spring, then will produce its fruit. The flowers bloom on the growth from the previous year.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The small, rounded fruits contain several seeds. They can be eaten both raw or cooked. Newly formed fruits are gray/green and will mature into blue/black berries.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Southeastern US
Wildlife value
Bees are attracted to the flowers, while birds and small mammals feed on the small fruits.