Vaccinium corymbosum Atlantic - American Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum 'Atlantic' is a vigorous, mid-season variety, which produces pretty little flowers in May that develop into blueberries that are good for harvesting from late July to late August. Like most American blueberries, the foliage turns beautiful shades of red in autumn. This variety is very hardy and relatively easy to grow in non-limestone soil with little maintenance. Although self-fertile, fruiting is even more abundant if a few plants of other varieties are planted nearby.

The Blueberry Bush belongs to the Ericaceae family, well-known in gardens for its many ornamental genera. Vaccinium corymbosum, native to North America, is the one cultivated in gardens for its abundant and high-quality fruiting. It is an extremely hardy bush with deciduous foliage that falls in autumn. The Blueberry Bush absolutely cannot tolerate limestone and must be grown in very acidic soil (pH 4 to 5.5).

The 'Atlantic' variety is a vigorous plant, usually reaching 1.80m (6ft) in height and potentially reaching up to 2.40m (8ft) - with a bit of patience, as its growth is relatively slow, as with most Blueberry Bushes. It is slightly narrower than it is tall, with an average spread of 1m (3ft), or a bit more for older specimens. The foliage consists of medium-green elliptical and pointed leaves, measuring 6 to 7cm (2 to 3in) long and about 3cm (1in) wide. Its branches take on beautiful autumn colours in shades of red, which is an additional attraction of this plant.

Flowering occurs in May, in the form of small white bells, 0.5 to 1cm (0in) long, clustered in pendant clusters measuring 2 to 5cm (1 to 2in) long, at the tips of the stems. This is followed by numerous blueberries, lightly covered with a whitish bloom. These berries are quite large (about 12-13mm (1in) in diameter) and have a spherical shape, ripening between mid and late July. Harvesting takes place until the end of August, starting from the 2nd or 3rd year after planting.

Blueberries are low in calories but high in nutritional value: they are very rich in vitamins A, B, and C, as well as calcium and iron. They contain pigments (anthocyanins) that improve night vision. Their multiple qualities earn them the label of a superfood, in addition to being a delicious fruit! Blueberries can be consumed fresh, in juice, jam, jelly, sorbet, or in pastries (pies, muffins etc.). The fruit can be stored for about ten days after picking and can be frozen for longer preservation.

'Atlantic' is preferably planted together with other varieties of Vaccinium corymbosum if you want to ensure bountiful harvests, but you can also incorporate them into a diverse bed of ornamental acid-loving plants. Due to its relatively large mature size, you can place shorter plants in the foreground while keeping easy access to your Blueberry Bush for easy picking! Summer heathers, like the Marlies Heather with its beautiful ruby-red flowers from August to September, will be perfect in this role. The Mountain Fire Pieris, a compact Japanese Andromeda with purple young foliage and white springtime flowering, will also be a good companion. And to add volume to your bed and provide shade for 'Atlantic', plant the magnificent Aureum Japanese Maple in the background. Its striking foliage with numerous lobes changes colour throughout the seasons, ranging from tender green to golden, and then to orange in autumn, providing a magnificent scene throughout the growing season!