New Hanover Blueberry

Southern highbush blueberry with vigorous, semi-upright to spreading growth habit. Self-fertile (though berry size increases with cross-pollination) with abundant pollen production. Flowers produce seven blossoms per inflorescence versus five for parent 'O'Neal'. Dormant one-year stems are red all around; current season stems are green. Elliptic to elliptic-obovate leaf shape. Very similar bloom time to 'O'Neal' (date of first bloom March 5, 50% bloom April 1 at Jackson Springs, NC), flowering 9-10 days earlier than 'Sampson' and 'Croatan'. Wide growth habit with rigid, non-bending canes makes it unsuitable for machine harvest despite other excellent characteristics. Shows very little freeze injury with minimal winter protection, though higher yields achieved when protected during coldest periods (below -10°F).

Large to very large berries (2.0 grams average, equal to 'Sampson' and superior to 'Croatan'). Very sweet with excellent flavor rated equal to 'Sampson' and superior to 'Croatan'. Light to medium blue color. Firm texture with small stem scar. Good to very good fruit quality. Excellent shelf life. Mid-season ripening (early June to mid-June in southeastern North Carolina). Ripening concentrated, completing harvest in less than two weeks - typically requiring only 2-3 harvest stages. Suitable for fresh market and processing.

Developed by Dr. James R. Ballington at North Carolina State University blueberry breeding program. Released 2005, patented 2007 (USPP19990P3). Seeds germinated winter 1981/1982. Elite genotype selected as NC 3103 for superior productivity, fruit size, color, firmness, and quality. Shows resistance to stem blight (Botryosphaeria corticis) and stem canker (B. dothidea).