The winter red beauty of blueberries can make a dramatic statement in your garden of edible plants. In early spring, I will be moving these delicious Southern Highbush 'Sharpblue' blueberries out of their current large containers to my front border garden this spring. 

 

Blueberries are easy to grow, have few pest issues, but do require certain conditions:

1. Buy blueberry cultivars that are recommended for your area.
2. Blueberries need to have acidic pH levels of 4.0 - 5.5 for healthy    growth.
3. Blueberry plants should have at least 4 - 5 hours of sunlight and good air circulation.
4. Fertilize blueberries with 8-4-8 in April, June, August, and October.  Sunniland's Azalea + Camellia Fertilizer is an excellent fertilizer formulated for Florida's soils.
5. When your blueberries are mature, (3 - 5 years) do not be afraid to prune (top) your blueberry bushes by 1/4th, so that there are no canes that are older than three to four years old.   
6. No need to overwater, blueberries need 1" - 1.5" of water a week during the summer.  If no rainfall, provide supplemental irrigation.

Check out new Southern Highbush cultivars for Florida at the Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc.

University of Florida's Blueberry Gardener's Guide.

Blueberries as Ornamentals in Edible Landscaping

More University of Florida Blueberry research on cultivars