Draper Blueberry

Northern highbush released 2004. Early midseason variety. Cross of Duke and an advanced selection. Slow-growing with lowest vigor rating among surveyed cultivars. Produces more whips than most varieties. Takes years longer to reach full maturity than other cultivars. Abundance of whips limits cane growth, requires extensive pruning, results in wide crown not well-suited for machine harvesting.

Large, firm, powder blue berries with excellent flavor and crisp texture from thicker skin. Superior fruit quality. Resistance to splitting, longer shelf life. Produces 7 flowers per bud.

One of only cultivars reliably machine harvestable for fresh market without significant bruising or shelf life drop. Used extensively as parent in northern highbush breeding programs. Replaced large portion of Bluecrop acreage in Pacific Northwest but expectations for Michigan adoption not met due to slow establishment. May suffer more extensive frost damage than most cultivars; experiences green fruit drop disorder some years. Less cold-hardy than some varieties.