Duke blueberries are one of the best early ripening Northern Highbush varieties, famous for its heavy yields of uniform-sized, quality fruit. Duke’s mild flavor seems to improve with cold storage, growing sweeter with time. A rugged and hardy survivor, whose flowers laugh at late spring frosts, it can be semi-evergreen in milder winter regions.
This solid early season producer requires 900+ chill hours to reliably bloom and set fruit. Prefers regularly moist, acidic soils. Maintaining the plant vigor of Duke blueberries can be a challenge over a long period of time, so regular pruning and extra fertility will help.
