Japanese blueberries are in the Ericaceae (heath) family and native to east China, South Korea, and Japan. This multistemmed edible shrub can grow to a height of 12 feet and requires a moist site with good drainage and prefers soil that is rich in peat or loamy. It does best in full sun with soil that has an abundance of acid. Growing it in locations not providing full sun will result in less-than-desired fruit production. It does not like its roots disturbed, so start or plant in pots until a permanent location is chosen. Seed can be started in a greenhouse in a somewhat shady area. Spending their first winter in these conditions will be beneficial for the seedlings. In late spring or early summer, they can then be planted outdoors in a permanent location protected from high winds. This blueberry can be used in a wide range of locations: in a container, meadow, naturalized area, patio, pond, or woodland. Include it as a border, privacy hedge, or mass planting in an edible garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant problems: No significant problems. Leaves will become chlorotic in high pH soils. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for " Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Vaccinium .
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.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | 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
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Broad; Multi-stemmed; Rounded; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Obovate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Papery
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The upper surface of the leaves is sprinkled with bristles. More bristly on the midrib and the veins on the underside.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
White
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Urn
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Each raceme can have 8 to 20 nodding flowers.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Black; Blue; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruits are in the form of a small, dark berry which are darker and smaller than other blueberries.