Friendship Blueberry

Half-high hybrid blueberry from University of Minnesota breeding program. Rare intermediate cross between V. corymbosum (Highbush Blueberry) and V. angustifolium (Lowbush Blueberry). Handsome smaller shrub splitting the difference between both parents. Compact spreading growth habit. Slow-growing. Thick, attractive green leaves. Stems are green to yellow-green with earthy red-brown zones becoming rich red in winter. Extremely cold-hardy, surviving winter better than standard highbush because lower stature allows coverage by protective snow. Garden origin, cutting-grown.

Medium to small blue berries with good taste. Moderately productive. Not recommended for commercial production but excellent for home gardens.

Developed from Minnesota's cold-hardy half-high breeding program initiated 1967 to create large-fruited, productive blueberries for extreme cold climates. Well adapted for ornamental use in home landscapes, rock gardens, and as edible landscaping. Good around the house to feed birds and gardeners. Provides nice fall color with ruby red foliage in autumn and pretty white spring flowers. Performs best when snow cover is good. Hardy to very cold zones due to lowbush parentage.