Updated: June 30, 2026
By Haley Sater , and Bryan Butler
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FS-2025-0777  |  June 2026

Blueberry Cultivars for Maryland and the Greater Mid-Atlantic Region

By Haley Sater, Ph.D., Agriculture Educator, University of Maryland Extension-Wicomico County, and Bryan Butler, Agriculture Educator, Carroll County

Introduction

Blueberries are native to North America. Wild blueberries were growing in Maryland when European settlers arrived. Although wild plants can still be found in the state, they are generally confined to organic matter soil at the edge of hardwood forests. Their need for acidic soils with high organic matter limits where blueberries can grow successfully. Plants take several years to bear fruit but once established can live for 30+ years if maintained properly.

Today, blueberries are classified as either “lowbush” or “highbush.” The lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium, grows wild in northern New England and Eastern Canada and is harvested commercially. Nearly all commercially grown highbush blueberry cultivars or varieties are related to the wild species Vaccinium cormbosum commonly found in the Mid- Atlantic and first cultivated for production in New Jersey. The primary commercial species grown in the U.S. is northern and southern highbush discussed below.

The rabbiteye, Vaccinium virgatum, species, is grown commercially mostly in Georgia, and a few parts of Florida, and South Carolina and can successfully be grown in Maryland. However, most production in the southern U.S. is now southern highbush because it fruits earlier than rabbiteye and has superior fruit quality.

Considerations for Choosing a Cultivar

Before planting blueberries, it’s important to understand their specific growing and management requirements (see UME FS-2025-0766), particularly their need for low pH and high organic matter soils. There are many cultivars available, and we recommended planting two or more cultivars because blueberries require cross pollination for adequate fruit set. In the Mid-Atlantic region, and Maryland specifically, consider the following factors when selecting cultivars:

  • Ripening Season: Choose cultivars that collectively span the length of the whole season to ensure a continuous harvest.
  • Yield: Select cultivars known for their high yield potential to maximize productivity and economic return.
  • Chilling Hour Requirements: Match cultivars to your local climate’s typical “chilling hours.” See the following section for more on chilling hours.
  • End Use: Decide if you intend to grow the berries for fresh consumption or for commercial purposes, such as U-pick, direct farm market sales, farmers market, processing, or wholesale. Some cultivars with novel traits or with softer fruit make more sense in U-picks or home gardens, whereas commercial and wholesale producers should focus on choosing high yielding cultivars, with disease resistance and firm fruit that has good cold storage potential.
  • Disease Resistance: Research diseases specific to your considered cultivars. Some cultivars have improved resistance to common diseases like mummy berry or anthracnose.
  • Fruit Quality Traits: Consider berry size, flavor, firmness, shelf life, and scar quality. In wholesale markets, especially those competing with imports from Canada and South America, fruit brokers often require high standards for quality.
  • Soil Suitability: All blueberries need acidic soil. While most blueberry cultivars do poorly in heavy or poorly drained soils, a few are more tolerant. However, all blueberries are vulnerable to root rot when exposed to standing water for extended periods.

Chilling Hours

Chilling hour requirements are a key factor in determining which blueberry cultivars are suitable for your location. Chilling hours refer to the number of hours during which temperatures remain between 32°F and 45°F, which is necessary for blueberry plants to break dormancy and resume growth in the spring. The Mid-Atlantic region typically receives between 800 - 1,200 chilling hours (see maps in Figure 1 below), making it suitable for most northern highbush or high-chill cultivars. However, some mid-chill and even southern highbush or low-chill cultivars can also be grown in Maryland, particularly in warmer microclimates, such as the Lower Eastern Shore along the Chesapeake Bay. It’s important to note that low-chill cultivars may bloom too early in a warm winter and suffer damage on developing flowers or fruit from late frosts, while high-chill cultivars may have delayed or uneven flowering in years with unusually warm winters. When selecting cultivars, growers should consider both the average chilling hours for their site and the potential for late spring frosts.

Two U.S. maps showing winter chilling conditions from Oct. 1, 2024, to June 27, 2025. The left map displays accumulated chilling hours (35°F–45°F), with the highest totals across northern and interior regions and the lowest totals in southern Florida and parts of the Gulf Coast and Southwest. The right map shows departures from the 1986/87–2015/16 avg., where green areas indicate above-average chilling hours and purple areas indicate below-average chilling hours, revealing a mixed pattern across the county.
Figure 1: Accumulated chilling hours (32°F–45°F) from October 1, 2024, to June 27, 2025 (left), and deviation from the historical average (right). Maps obtained from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center Vegetated Impact Program (MRCC VIP).
Close-up of a blueberry stem showing multiple flower buds with visible frost damage. Several buds appear brown, dried, and shriveled, indicating cold injury.
Figure 2: Photo of frost damage effect on blueberry flower buds. Photo Credit: Haley Sater.

For more information about cultivars that are appropriate for Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region, consult
Table 1, “Highbush blueberry cultivars for Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic Region,” found below.

Close-up of Blue Ribbon blueberries growing on the bush. Clusters of berries are shown at different stages of ripening, ranging from pale green and pink to fully ripe blue, surrounded by dense green leaves.
Blue Ribbon
Close-up of Bluecrop blueberries growing on a bush. Several ripe blue berries and unripe green berries hang in a cluster among green leaves, showing different stages of fruit development in a field setting.
Bluecrop
Close-up of Duke blueberries growing on a bush. Clusters of ripe blue berries and unripe green and pink berries hang along a stem surrounded by green leaves, showing multiple stages of fruit development in a cultivated blueberry field.
Duke
Close-up of a Last Call blueberry bush with large clusters of mostly unripe berries. The light green berries are densely packed along upright stems and surrounded by green foliage, with a blueberry field visible in the background.
Last Call
Close-up of Legacy blueberries on a bush. Several large berries are shown at different stages of ripening, from pale green to light blue, clustered among green leaves in a cultivated blueberry field.
Legacy
CClose-up of Valor blueberries growing on a bush. A cluster of berries at various stages of ripening ranges from green and pink to deep blue, hanging from red stems among green leaves in a cultivated blueberry field.
Valor

Figure 3: Images of Blue Ribbon, Bluecrop, Duke, Last Call, Legacy, and Valor cultivars grown in Wye Mills, Maryland at the University of Maryland Wye Research and Extension Center. Photo Credit: Haley Sater.

Table 1: Highbush blueberry cultivars for Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic Region
CultivarSeasonYield PotentialBest UseChilling HoursNotesMachine Harvest
for Fresh Market
ChanticleerVery EarlyModerateFresh800–1000Early ripening, medium-sized berries, firm with
good flavor.		Yes
WeymouthEarlyModerateFresh, Processing800–1000Early ripening, soft fruit, older cultivar, no longer
widely planted.		No
Hannah’s ChoiceEarlyModerateFresh, Specialty800–1000Very sweet with excellent flavor. Moderate yield,
best for home gardens or U-picks.		No
O’NealEarlyModerateFresh, Home gardens500–600Excellent flavor, large berries, good for southern and transition climates; one of the earliest ripening southern highbush.No
VenturaEarlyHighFresh, Low chill200–300Vigorous plant, large berries, well-suited for warm climates.No
SpartanEarlyModerateFresh, U-pick800–1000Very large, highly flavored, early yields, resistant to mummy berry.Yes
DukeEarlyHighCommercial, Processing800–1000Smaller, soft, mild, easy to pick, upright, short ripening, very widely grown commercially.Yes
SweetheartEarlyModerateFresh, U-pick400–500Dual cropping in warm climates, early fruit has good flavor, vigorous growth.No
BluettaEarlyModerateFresh, Home gardens800–1000Small bush, tart, unattractive for fresh pack.No
RekaEarlyHighProcessing800–1000Vigorous, small tart berries, good soil tolerance, mummy berry resistance.No
PatriotEarlyModerateFresh800–1000Large, firm, blooms early, tolerates heavier soils and has some root rot resistance.No
EarliblueEarlyModerateFresh, Shipping800–1000Large, firm, ships well, powdery mildew resistance.Yes
BluerayEarly-MidHighFresh, Commercial800–1000Large, good flavor, flopping canes, susceptible to
mummy berry.		No
Blue Ribbon*Early-MidHighFresh, Premium800–1000Large berries, sweet, long shelf life.Yes
HuronEarly-MidModerateFresh800–1000Firm berries, short harvest window, good for hand
and machine harvest.		Yes
DraperEarly-MidHighFresh, Commercial800–1000Large berries, flavorful, plant is slow to establish, was widely planted commercially in the past, but can suffer from “Draper Drop” disorder.Yes
BluejayMidHighFresh, Processing800–1000Mild flavor, moderate firmness, easy to grow.No
CalypsoMidHighFresh, Commercial800–1000Large berries, moderate firmness, newer cultivar
from Michigan State University (MSU), bred for
machine harvest and excellent shelf life.		Yes
ClockworkMidHighProcessing800–1000Extremely firm fruit, processing oriented.Yes
Ozark BlueMidHighFresh500–700Tolerates heat, large berries, popular in
Southeastern U.S.		No
ToroMidModerateFresh, U-pick800–1000Very large berries, firm, good color, low self fertility.Yes
Top ShelfMidHighFresh, Commercial800–1000Very large berries, tropical aroma, vigorous.Yes
BluecropMidHighFresh, Commercial800–1000Traditional flavor, medium berry, consistent
producer, was previously widely commercially
planted.		Yes
LenoirMidModerateFresh600–800Semi-upright, excellent fruit flavor.Yes
BluegoldMidHighFresh, Processing800–1000Vigorous, cold hardy, smaller stature plant with
yellow fall foliage, stems may remain attached.		No
JubileeMidModerateFresh, Home gardens500–600Attractive upright bush, mild flavor, mostly grown
in the South.		No
CollinsMidModerateFresh800–1000Medium to large berries, sweet flavor, firm.No
ConcordMidModerateFresh800–1000Firm berries, upright growth, good disease
resistance.		Yes
LoretoBlueMidHighFresh, Commercial800–1000Very firm, high quality, excellent machine harvest
characteristics, strong performer in trials.		Yes
PeachyBlueMidModerateFresh, Specialty Market,
U-pick		800–1000Unique flavor with peach-like aroma, good
firmness and market appeal.		Yes
CapellaMidHighFresh800–1000Firm berries, suitable for commercial harvest,
newer cultivar from MSU, promising in trials.		Yes
KatahdinMidModerateFresh800–1000Large berries, upright bush, cold hardy, newer
cultivar from MSU not widely planted yet.		No
TalismanMidHighFresh, Commercial800–1000Very firm, flavorful berries, bred for machine
harvest and long shelf life.		Yes
RubelMidModerateProcessing800–1000Small berries, older cultivar, wild-type flavor, not
for fresh market or storage, best for home gardens
or U-picks.		No
TophatMidModerateContainerized,
Ornamental		800–1000Small, wild tasting fruit, compact plant only
reaching 2 ft height, used as an ornamental plant
or for containerized production in small spaces.		N/A
ArabellaBlueMid-LateHighFresh, Commercial800–1000Lasting firmness and shelf life, ideal for longdistance shipping and machine harvest.Yes
AtlanticMid-LateHighFresh800–1000Firm berries, good shipping quality.Yes
CargoMid-LateHighFresh, Processing800–1000Firm, high yield, machine harvest.Yes
Brigitta BlueMid-LateModerateFresh, Commercial800–1000Very firm, excellent shelf life, vigorous,
concentrated harvest.		Yes
LegacyMid-LateHighFresh, Commercial700–900High yields, long harvest, excellent flavor.Yes
NelsonLateHighFresh, Commercial800–1000Large, firm, good flavor, upright bush, good cold
tolerance.		Yes
DarrowLateHighFresh800–1000Very large, sweet-tart, poor aroma.No
LibertyLateModerateFresh800–1000Unique but not always appreciated spicy flavor,
good disease resistance.		Yes
ChandlerLateModerateU-pick, Fresh800–1000Very large, excellent flavor, long ripening,
moderate yield.		No
JerseyLateHighFresh, Processing800–1000Very sweet, small-medium berries, overcropping
risk.		Yes
CovilleLateModerateFresh800–1000Large, high-quality fruit. Vigorous and productive.Yes
DixiLateModerateFresh800–1000Large, sweet berries with good flavor; older
cultivar with moderate vigor.		No
HerbertLateModerateFresh, Home gardens800–1000Very large berries, excellent flavor, tender skin.
Not well-suited to shipping, best for home gardens or U-picks.		No
Late BlueVery LateModerateFresh800–1000Sweet, firm berries with long shelf life.Yes
LunaBlueVery LateHighFresh, Extend season800–1000More heat tolerant than other late cultivars. Firm
berries, good flavor, bred for mechanical harvest.		Yes
ElliottVery LateHighProcessing, Extend
season		800–1000Small, tart and flavorful, very firm, upright, good
for baking.		Yes
AuroraVery LateHighFresh, Extend season800–1000Firm fruit, vigorous plant, good cold tolerance,
used for export fresh market, higher fruit quality
and used as replacement for Elliott.		Yes
Last CallVery LateHighFresh, Extend season800–1000Large berries, aromatic, high yield potential.Yes

Conclusion

Selecting appropriate cultivars is one of the most important decisions when establishing a blueberry planting. Cultivars differ in ripening season, yield potential, chilling hour requirements, fruit quality, disease resistance, and suitability for different markets. In Maryland and the greater Mid-Atlantic region, growers and homeowners can benefit from planting multiple cultivars with overlapping bloom periods to improve cross-pollination and extend the harvest season. By matching cultivar characteristics to site conditions, climate, and intended use, growers can improve productivity, fruit quality, and long-term planting success.

Further Resources

Ehlenfeldt, M. (n.d.). Blueberry Cultivars. USDA-ARS Marucci Center for Blueberry & Cranberry Research & Extension.

Ernest, E. (2016). Comments on Cultivars in University of Delaware’s Georgetown Blueberry Trial. Weekly Crop Update. Volume 24, issue 3. https://sites.udel.edu/weeklycropupdate/?p=8951

Fall Creek. (n.d.). Commercial Fruit Growers Blueberry Varieties. https://www.fallcreeknursery.com/commercial-fruit-growers/varieties

Midwestern Regional Climate Center. (2025). Vegetated Impact Program (VIP) chilling hours maps. https://mrcc.purdue.edu/VIP/

Pavlis, G. (2005). Selecting Blueberry Varieties for the Home Garden. Rutgers University, Fact Sheet FS 419. https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs419/

Penn State Extension. (2023). Blueberry variety selection in the home fruit planting. https://extension.psu.edu/blueberry-variety-selection-in-the-homefruit- planting

Sater, H. & Butler, B. (2026). Growing Blueberries in the Mid-Atlantic (FS- 2025-0766). University of Maryland. go.umd.edu/FS-2025-0766.

Vander Weide, J., Isaacs, R., Miles, T., Edger, P., Sloan, C., & Garcia-Salazar, C. (2024). Blueberry varieties for Michigan (E3490). Michigan State University Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/blueberries/uploads/files/ E3490_Blueberry_Varieties_MI_AA.pdf

Download Publication FS-2025-0777 (PDF)

Additional Resources on Growing Blueberries