Patriot Blueberry

Developed by USDA and Maine Agricultural Experiment Station. Cross made in 1954, selected in 1957, released in 1976 (named to commemorate the U.S. bicentennial). Low-growing, spreading bushes reaching 3-5 feet tall with partial lowbush parentage. Extremely cold-hardy (to -35°F). Adaptable to many soil types, tolerates wet soils and clay better than most varieties.

Large, slightly flat, deep blue berries with delicately sweet, highly flavored taste. Firm texture with small, dry, recessed scars. Tight clusters. Larger and firmer than most early-season varieties. Ripens June-July. Excellent for fresh eating, baking, preserving, and freezing.

Selected for home gardeners desiring cold-hardy variety with consistent crops. Originally released for home gardens but desirable characteristics made it available for commercial planting. Shows excellent resistance to Phytophthora root rot. High yields (10-20 lbs per plant). Harvested by hand or U-Pick; mechanical harvest only viable for final harvest. Outstanding landscape value with showy white blooms, dark green summer foliage, and fiery orange-red-yellow fall colors.