Blueberry Duke

Blueberry Duke is best suited in a position that gets

• Partial shade
• Full sun

Blueberry Duke is

• Deciduous
• Pollinator Needed
• Self-fertile
• Frost Tolerant
• Edible
• Flowering
• Attracts pollinators
• Cold hardy

Blueberry Duke will thrive in soil that is

• Acidic
• Normal
• Free draining
• Nutrient rich

Plant Blueberry Duke in full sun.

For best performance:

Choose a site receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Protect from strong drying winds where possible.
Ensure good airflow around the plant to reduce disease pressure.

Blueberries require acidic soil to thrive.

For healthy plants:

Maintain a soil pH between 4.5 and 5.5.
Improve the soil with composted pine bark or an acid planting mix before planting.
Mulch annually with pine bark, pine needles or other acidic organic mulch.
Ensure the soil drains freely while retaining moisture.

Avoid adding lime or alkaline fertilisers.

Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a healthy root system.

Blueberries have shallow roots and perform best when the soil remains consistently moist.

Increase watering:

During flowering.
While fruit is developing.
During hot, dry summer weather.

Avoid allowing the soil to completely dry out.

Feed in early spring with a fertiliser formulated for acid-loving plants.

For best results:

Apply an acid fertiliser in early spring.
Feed lightly again after harvest if required.
Top up organic mulch each year to help maintain soil acidity.

Avoid excessive nitrogen, which encourages leafy growth at the expense of fruit.

Minimal pruning is required during the first two to three years.

Once established:

Remove dead, damaged or weak stems during winter.
Prune out one or two of the oldest canes every few years to encourage vigorous new growth.
Maintain an open centre for improved airflow and fruit production.

Regular pruning helps produce larger berries and consistent annual crops.

Duke berries ripen over several weeks.

Harvest when:

The berries are completely blue.
They detach easily from the stem.
They are firm, sweet and fully flavoured.

Regular harvesting encourages the remaining fruit to ripen evenly.

As a Northern Highbush variety, Duke benefits from winter chilling and performs exceptionally well in regions with cool winters.

For healthy plants:

Apply fresh mulch each winter.
Water occasionally during prolonged dry periods.
Protect blossoms if severe late spring frosts are forecast in colder inland areas.

Blueberry Duke grows exceptionally well in pots.

For best results:

Use a premium potting mix formulated for acid-loving plants.
Choose a container at least 40–50cm wide.
Water consistently throughout summer.
Feed each spring with an acid fertiliser.

Container-grown blueberries are ideal for patios, decks and smaller gardens.

Companion Plants

Blueberry Duke grows well alongside:

Blueberry Spartan
Blueberry O'Neal
Blueberry Legacy
Rhododendrons
Azaleas
Camellias