Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
This blueberry is an early-season rabbiteye variety. Its tasty, medium-sized berries are medium blue and all ripen in a concentrated period of time. The short, early ripening season in late May through early June makes this blueberry variety a good choice for both the home gardener and the commercial grower who machine harvests. The leaves turn a stunning shade of orangey-red before dropping off in the fall.
This plant can be used to create an orchard, as a specimen plant, in a mixed shrub or perennial border and as a container plant. It will grow to be approximately 6 to 8 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide at maturity. Its small pink and white blossoms appear in late February to early March. Climax Blueberry is not self-fruiting and does require cross-pollination from another early-blooming variety of blueberry.
Climax Blueberry Care
Vaccinium ashei "Climax' is a warm climate variety and can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 and 10. This shrub is easy to grow, heat tolerant and generally not bothered by pests or diseases. Climax Blueberry can be planted in partial shade but prefers to grow in full sun conditions. Water regularly when first planted and during unusually dry periods to prevent the soil from drying out around the roots.
Climax Blueberry Spacing
Space individual plants at least 8 feet apart so you’ll have room to walk between them when harvesting the berries. Prune weak or damaged branches to improve fruit production.
Climax Blueberry Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 6 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (4+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 6-8 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 6-8 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- Flower Description
- Pink, White
- Bloom Time
- Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Fall Interest, 3 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Climax Blueberry
- Botanical Name
- Vaccinium ashei 'Climax'
- Plant Type
- Edible Plant
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: OR, WA, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!