SCIENTIFIC NAME: Vaccinium ashei 'Premier'

COMMON NAME: Premier Rabbiteye Blueberry

GARDEN SIZE: 6-8 feet tall x 6-8 feet wide

GROWTH RATE: Reaches maturity in 6-8 years

USDA ZONE: 7-9

CHILL HOURS: 550

EXPOSURE: Full Sun

WATER & SOIL: Acidic, well-drained soil high in organic matter

HABIT (FORM): Upright, multi-stemmed, woody shrub

FOLIAGE: Deciduous with blue-green leaves that turn red-orange in autumn

FLOWERS: Clusters of small, bell-shaped, pink and white flowers

BLOOM TIME: Early spring

HARVEST TIME: Late spring to early summer

POLLENIZATION: Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) require pollen from another genetically distinct rabbiteye variety in order to produce berries. Plant this bush near at least one other rabbiteye that blooms around the same time to encourage cross-pollenization. Some hybrid blueberries are compatible with rabbiteye blueberries as well.

POLLENIZATION PARTNERS: Recommended partners for Premier include mid- to late-blooming rabbiteye blueberries such as Alapaha/'Bless Your Heart', Brightwell, Climax, Powder Blue, Tifblue, and Vernon/'Takes the Cake'.

FRUIT: Large, sweet, edible blue berries

CARE: When planting, condition the soil in an area twice the diameter of the root ball with peat moss or a soil conditioner like our Earthmix Landscape. Mix soil conditioner with existing soil in a 50/50 ratio.

Mulch with 2-6" of straw, wood chips, or other organic matter to help regulate moisture. Leave a gap of a few inches around the trunks to prevent damage to the stems from staying wet.

Blueberry bushes need about an inch of water every 7-10 days, though young bushes need a little more during their first growing season while they establish roots. When the rain provides insufficient water, give a deep soak to the soil around the base of the plant once or twice per week. A good rule of thumb is 1 gallon of water per square foot of surface area under the plant's canopy.

Fertilize each spring and fall with Holly-tone or another fertilizer for acid-loving plants.

Prune in late winter to early spring while the plant is dormant. Remove weak canes and low-growing shoots that will be shaded by other limbs or touch the ground.

When your blueberry bush is about six years old, you may notice older canes becoming less productive. At this stage, begin cutting 10-15% of the thick gray older branches back to 6-12" from the ground each year. This will allow the canes to completely refresh themselves in a five year cycle.

PET SAFETY: May cause gastrointestinal issues in cats and dogs if consumed in large amounts, but not commonly eaten by pets. Always research further if you have concerns, as reactions can occur with anything. Also, remember to check the safety of any fertilizers or pesticides applied to your plants.

USES: Edible berries, hedges, borders, fall color

HISTORY: Bred by North Carolina State University in collaboration with the USDA Agricultural Research Service and released to the public in 1978.