Blueberries have been grown at research stations in Minnesota for nearly a century. In 1967, a blueberry breeding program was initiated to develop cold-hardy, low-stature (“half-high”), high quality, large-fruited cultivars. The first varieties released from this effort, Northblue, Northsky, and Northcountry, avoid low-temperature injury by their cold tolerant buds and a low stature that allows part of the bearing surface to be covered by protective snow. In the ’90s, St. Cloud, Chippewa, and Polaris were bred to be chest high for easier picking. A later introduction, Superior, matches them for height, and is highly productive.
Pink Popcorn™ (MNPink1 cultivar) is the first hardy pink blueberry introduced from the University. It has the showy white flowers and crimson fall foliage that make blueberry a landscape favorite but features blush-colored berries that have the flavor essence and crisp texture of the best of the blues.
Blueberry plants can be decorative, with profuse miniature white blossoms in late spring, glossy green leaves in summer and colorful maroon or orange foliage in autumn. They require acidic, well-drained soil. Most soils— where the native pH of the soil is less than 7.0— can be amended to make them suitable (4.0-5.0). Plant more than one variety for effective pollination leading to better yield and berry size.
University of Minnesota Blueberry Varieties
Chippewa
- Most productive U of M variety
- 30-40" plant height
- 30-60" plant spread
- Yields 3-8 lbs/bush
- Released in 1996
Northblue
- Large fruit with tart flavor
- Productive, half-high habit
- 24-36" plant height
- 30-40" plant spread
- Yields 3-9 lbs/bush
- Released in 1983
Northcountry
- Wild blueberry flavor
- Half-high habit
- 18-24" plant height
- 24-36" plant spread
- Yields 3-5 lbs/bush
- Released in 1986
Northsky
- Compact, half-high habit
- 12-18" plant height
- 24-30" plant spread
- Yields 1-3 lbs/bush
- Released in 1983
Pink Popcorn®
- Pale pink blush color with aroma, taste and texture of blueberry
- 30-48" plant height
- 30-50" plant spread
- Yields 3-5 lbs/bush
- Released in 2015
Polaris
- Aromatic flavor and firm texture
- Early maturing
- 30-40" plant height
- 30-60" plant spread
- Yields 3-8 lbs/bush
- Released in 1996
St. Cloud
- Sweet flavor
- Early maturing
- 30-48" plant height
- 30-40" plant spread
- Yields 2-7 lbs/bush
- Released in 1990
Superior
- Highly productive
- Late-season variety
- 30-48" plant height
- 30-40" plant spread
- Yields 3-8 lbs/bush
- Released in 2008
Pink Popcorn® is a registered trademark of the University of Minnesota.