Climax Blueberry

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

6-8 Feet

Mature Spread

6-8 Feet

Growing Zones

6 to 9

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.