Vaccinium Tophat - Blueberry

Vaccinium 'Tophat' is a hybrid American blueberry bush with a particularly compact habit. This self-fertile variety produces an abundance of small, dark blue, sweet fruits in summer, after a beautiful white bell-shaped flowering in spring. Its small size allows it to be planted along terraces or in vegetable gardens. In autumn, the leaves take on warm red-orange hues. This bush requires moist to wet, well-drained and acidic soil to grow properly, in light sun or partial shade.

The American blueberry bush belongs, just like rhododendrons, heathers and andromedas, to the large Ericaceae family. In the vast majority of cases, these species appreciate a rather moist and especially acidic soil. The presence of limestone in the soil causes them to quickly turn yellow and wither. Vaccinium corymbosum is an irregular and bushy shrub, reaching about 1.50 m (5ft) in height and width. In May, it produces many honey-scented white bell-shaped flowers, followed a few weeks later by abundant clusters of the famous dark blue, slightly powdery blueberries. The fruits are less intensely flavoured than our European blueberries, but much larger, with a diameter of up to 1 cm (0in). They are the ones most often found for sale, as they are grown on a large scale. However, they are rich in nutrients and antioxidants. The leaves are deciduous and lanceolate and take on beautiful vivid colours ranging from scarlet red to yellow, passing through orange in autumn.

The 'Tophat' variety is the result of a cross-breeding between this species and Vaccinium angustifolium (narrow-leaved blueberry), another wild species similar to our European blueberries. 'Top hat' has a very compact habit (about 60 cm (24in) in all directions, maximum). It is also self-fertile: a single plant is capable of bearing fruit - however, it is better to plant several for better pollination. The fruits are relatively small (between 0.5 cm (0in) and 1 cm (0in)) but numerous and very sweet, in June-July. In general, it takes 2 years to achieve optimal yields.

Provide 'Tophat' blueberry bush with moist, even wet but well-drained, acidic soil (devoid of limestone, with a pH below 6). One can use ericaceous compost to correct soil that is too heavy, compact, and clayey, but do not expect to obtain good results in soil that is too far from the required conditions. The shallow roots quickly suffer from prolonged dryness. Full sun should be avoided, especially in hot regions, light shade sheltered from cold and dry winds is better. These bushes are extremely hardy and can withstand at least -20°C (-4°F). To ensure a good harvest, it is best to plant at least two or three plants of the same variety, or different varieties, close to each other. Then, you can prepare excellent pies, jams, jellies, custards...

Vaccinium 'Tophat' will fit well in an edible garden, especially since it is also very pleasant to snack on the fruits directly from the plant during the right season. Its small size also makes it particularly suitable for container cultivation, provided you do not forget to water it. You can place the pot (make sure it is large enough) in a metal basin or a large wooden container, to always keep the bottom wet. Also, remember to use water low in limestone, such as rainwater! Finally, you can grow them with other acid-loving plants: rhododendrons, Pieris, or even camellias...