Onslow Blueberry

Rabbiteye blueberry with vigorous, productive, semi-upright growth habit. Matures to approximately 10 feet tall with 8-foot spread. Dainty clusters of white bell-shaped flowers hanging below branches in early spring. Dark green deciduous foliage with glossy oval leaves turning outstanding scarlet red in fall. Attractive blue-tinged berries from early to mid-summer. Notably one of the few self-fertile rabbiteye blueberries, though berries tend to be larger with pollination from late-blooming rabbiteye cultivars like 'Columbus' or 'DeSoto'.

One of the largest berries produced by any rabbiteye type. Fruit slightly larger and darker than 'Powderblue'. Medium blue color (visibly darker than 'Columbus'), very good firmness. Aromatic flavor when fully ripe, sweet with juicy texture. Dry picking scars. Excellent quality. Late-ripening, matures mid-late season (ripens about same time as 'Powderblue'), typically June-July in southeastern regions. Suitable for hand or mechanical harvest. Berries resistant to cracking. Good post-harvest fruit quality. Berries most often used for eating fresh, freezing, baking, and preserving.

Developed at North Carolina State University by Bill Cline and James R. Ballington. Released 2000, patented 2001. Recommended for commercial production, pick-your-own operations, and local markets. Particularly well-suited to home gardens for combination of ornamental qualities (outstanding fall color), manageable size, self-fertility, excellent fruit quality, and tolerance of less-than-ideal soil conditions.