Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum 'ZF06-179' BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN)
Dwarf Vaccinium corymbosum 'ZF06-179' BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN is a compact Highbush blueberry perfect for containers, offering edible, sweet jelly-flavored fruit.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-179’ BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN is a highly desirable dwarf Highbush blueberry cultivar valued for its compact size, ornamental appeal, and exceptional fruit quality. This specific variety, often sold under the JELLY BEAN™ trade name, produces large, flavorful blueberries reminiscent of sweet homemade jelly, making it a gardener favorite where space is limited. Unlike many older varieties, this Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-179’ BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN remains small, topping out at only 1 to 2 feet tall and wide, making it exceptionally versatile.
As an upright, deciduous shrub, it provides interest throughout the seasons, starting with white spring flowers, developing into edible fruit, and concluding with attractive fall foliage color. Effective growing requires attention to soil acidity, which is crucial for all Highbush blueberry varieties to thrive. For robust harvests, although self-fertile options exist, planting multiple mid-season varieties like this Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-179’ BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN is recommended.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Ericaceae
- Plant Type: Fruit
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-2 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: May
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Highbush blueberry requires diligence regarding soil pH. Best grown in acidic (pH of 4.8 to 5.2), organically rich, medium to wet, well-drained soils. While this dwarf Highbush blueberry appreciates full sun, it tolerates part shade, though fruiting may be reduced. Because of their shallow, fibrous roots, constant moisture combined with excellent drainage is critical; applying a good organic mulch helps retain this necessary moisture.
Care for your Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-179’ BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN involves mindful watering, especially during dry spells, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but never waterlogged. Delay fruiting by removing flowers in the first two years to encourage strong vegetative growth and better long-term yields. Pruning should commence in late winter, starting in the plant’s third year, removing older, unproductive wood as needed.
While self-fertile, cross-pollination with other suitably timed varieties will maximize the yield and berry size for your Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-179’ BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN. Selecting varieties with staggered bloom times—early, mid, and late—will extend your overall blueberry season well into late summer.
Landscape Uses
The small stature of Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-179’ BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN makes it an outstanding choice for edibles in smaller landscapes or mixed borders. It performs excellently as a formal or informal hedge due to its dense habit and aesthetic appeal, offering the bonus of harvesting fruit rather than trimming purely ornamental shrubs.
Because these Highbush blueberries share similar acidic soil needs, they pair beautifully with Azaleas and Rhododendrons, creating vibrant, textural groupings. Furthermore, its compact size means this specific cultivar is particularly effective when planted in containers, allowing gardeners with limited ground space to enjoy fresh blueberries.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
- Edible
Noteworthy Characteristics
The Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-179’ BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN, a dwarf Highbush blueberry reaching only 1 to 2 ft tall and wide, is part of the BUSHEL AND BERRY™ series, noted for self-pollinating, ornamental, and fruiting traits. Its foliage shows elongated green leaves often tinged with red, turning yellow and red in autumn, while spring brings white, bell-shaped flowers that mature into large, sweet blueberries tasting like homemade jelly. This cultivar has an estimated chilling requirement of 1000-1200 hours, making it adapted to certain climate regions within its hardiness range.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Birds represent the most significant threat to a successful harvest of this Highbush blueberry. Once the berries begin to ripen, covering the plants with fine netting is often necessary to protect your crop. Be vigilant for signs of soil issues; chlorosis, or yellowing of the leaves, is a direct indicator of high pH (alkaline) soils, requiring immediate pH amendment.
Infrequent but possible disease issues include stem blight, root rot, anthracnose, cane cankers, mildew, and botrytis, which are managed through good air circulation and proper pruning to remove diseased wood. Pests that may attack the fruit include the blueberry maggot, cherry fruit worm, and spotted wing drosophila. Additionally, watch out for Mummy berry, a fungal disease that causes berries to shrivel before dropping prematurely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Highbush blueberry suitable for?
This specific Highbush blueberry excels in USDA Zones 4-8.
How large does Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-179’ BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN grow?
This dwarf variety reaches a modest height and spread of 1 to 2 feet at maturity.
What sun exposure does Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-179’ BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN need?
For optimal growth and fruit production, provide full sun, although it will tolerate some part shade.
When does Highbush blueberry bloom?
Bloom time is typically in May, featuring pendulous white flowers.
Conclusion
The Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-179’ BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN shrub offers the sweet reward of delicious blueberries in a compact, manageable package perfect for modern gardening spaces. This Highbush blueberry excels ornamentally while providing excellent fruit suitable for containers or borders. Evaluate your site’s acidic soil profile and ensure adequate moisture to guarantee a successful, flavorful harvest from your new JELLY BEAN blueberry.
Companion Planting with Acid Lovers
Growing Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-179’ BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN alongside other acid-loving plants is highly recommended as they share identical soil amendments and cultural needs, simplifying your horticultural routine. Rhododendrons and Azaleas are classic companions, providing complementary flowering seasons and leaf textures. Evergreens that prefer acidic, moist soil, such as certain varieties of Hemlock or Firs, can also serve as excellent backdrop screening without competing aggressively for nutrients, provided drainage is maintained across the planting area.
Container Growing for Dwarf Blueberries
The low-growing nature of this dwarf Highbush blueberry makes it an ideal candidate for patio containers or balcony gardening. When planting Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-179’ BRAZELBERRIES JELLY BEAN in pots, utilize a specialized acidic potting mix specifically formulated for acid-loving plants or mix peat moss thoroughly into a standard mix to achieve the required pH of 4.8 to 5.2. Ensure containers are large enough to accommodate root growth over several years, usually at least 15-gallon size for long-term success, and utilize containers with excellent drainage holes to prevent the shallow roots from sitting in standing water.
