Vaccinium corymbosum x ashei Pink Berry

The 'Pink Berry' Blueberry is a blueberry bush with pink fruits, also known as 'Pink Lemonade'. This unpatented variety is a European mutation, possibly German, of 'Pink Lemonade', using the common name Pinkberry as the variety. Its fruit is identical to Pink Lemonade. It produces blueberry berries of a stunning pink colour. The fruit is very sweet, juicy and without the typical acidity of blueberries. Its leaves turn orange and scarlet red in autumn. This variety is self-fertile, although the proximity of another 'Pink Berry' Blueberry or Vaccinium ashei significantly improves its yield and fruit quality. With an upright habit, the bush can reach a height of 1.50 m. It grows in acidic soil and requires a fairly sunny exposure. Planting ideally in autumn or any time without frost for a harvest starting in August.

The Blueberry belongs to the Ericaceae family, like heather and rhododendrons. There are two types: wild blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), a small bush of about 30 cm (12in), naturally growing in the undergrowth, and the bush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), native to North America, cultivated in gardens. It produces larger and more numerous fruits and can reach a height of 1.50 m (5ft). In the American continent, there are also varieties that have adapted to higher temperatures, such as Vaccinium asheii (rabbiteye), whose immature fruits are pink, ideal for the Mediterranean. The cultivated Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is a very hardy bush, forming a dense bush with an upright habit, reaching a height of 1.50 m (5ft), with a spread of 80 cm (32in). The deciduous leaves are 2 to 3 cm (1in) long, lanceolate, elliptical, entire and toothed, medium green, turning bright orange in autumn. Flowering occurs in early May, in the form of small white bells with a dull red edge, 0.5 to 1 cm (<!in) long, clustered in pendant clusters 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) long at the end of the stems. This is followed by the formation of large berries, 1 cm (<1in) in diameter, usually bluish-purple in colour. They ripen in summer, with the first harvest appearing from the 2nd year of cultivation. On the same plant, the harvest will be staggered depending on the ripeness of the fruits.

The 'Pink Berry' variety is a European mutation of Vaccinium 'Pink Lemonade', obtained by crossing Vaccinium corymbosum and Vaccinium asheii by Mark Ehlenfeldt in the United States and introduced to the market in 2005. As a result of this cross-breeding, it produces pink, firm and sweet fruits, without the usual acidity of blueberries. The fruit of 'Pink Berry' is identical to that of 'Pink Lemonade'. 'Pink Berry' has the same growing conditions as Vaccinium corymbosum. It needs a rather sunny location and constantly moist, acidic soil rich in organic matter. It benefits from annual fertilisation in early spring. Pruning is not necessary, but can be done to rejuvenate older plants. Do it after the harvest. Fruiting starts later than for corymb blueberries, usually on plants 4 to 5 years old. Hardiness is at least -24°C (-11.2°F).

The blueberry is a low-calorie fruit, but of high nutritional value: it is very rich in vitamins A, B, and C, calcium, and iron. It is best consumed freshly picked, enjoyed as juice, jam, jelly, sorbet, or in pastries (pies, muffins, etc.). Blueberries can be stored for about ten days after picking and can be frozen for longer storage. To ensure good pollination and fruiting, it is recommended to plant at least 2 to 3 Blueberry bushes, of the same variety or different varieties (including self-fertile varieties). In the garden, Blueberries will blend in perfectly with acid soil beds, along with rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas, and heathers.