Blue Ray Blueberry
Blue Ray Blueberry
Big, Sweet Highbush Berries on a Vigorous, Productive Bush
Blue Ray Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum 'Blue Ray') is a classic northern highbush variety prized for large, firm, sweet berries on a vigorous upright bush, with fiery red-orange foliage in fall as a bonus. It's a heavy, dependable producer in midseason — just give it acidic soil and a second blueberry variety nearby to maximize the crop. Whether you're starting a berry patch in Edina, filling a sunny edible bed in Maple Grove, or adding a productive shrub in Woodbury — Blue Ray brings homegrown blueberries to zone 4b–5a gardens.
Blue Ray Blueberry Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Vaccinium corymbosum 'Blue Ray' |
| Plant Type | Deciduous fruiting shrub (northern highbush) |
| Mature Height | 4–6 feet |
| Mature Width | 4–5 feet |
| Sun | Full sun (6+ hours) for the best yields and sweetness |
| Water | Moderate to high — 1–2 inches per week; shallow roots need steady moisture |
| USDA Zones | 4–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) |
| Soil | Acidic, pH 4.5–5.2 — essential. Most Minnesota soils are too alkaline; amend heavily with peat and elemental sulfur. |
| Pollination | Self-fertile but yields far better with a second blueberry variety nearby |
| Harvest | Midseason — mid- to late summer |
| Fall Color | Brilliant red-orange foliage |
| Winter Hardiness | Hardy to zone 4; mulch well and site out of harsh wind |
Blue Ray Blueberry Uses in Minnesota Gardens
Productive berry patch
Plant Blue Ray with another highbush or half-high variety for cross-pollination and bigger harvests in a Plymouth garden.
Edible landscaping
With white spring bells, summer fruit, and fiery fall color, it earns a spot in an ornamental edible bed in Eden Prairie.
Raised beds and containers
Because blueberries demand acidic soil, a raised bed or large container filled with a peat-based acidic mix is often the easiest route to success in the Twin Cities.
Best Time to Plant Blue Ray Blueberry in Minnesota
Spring (late April–May) is the best window, giving the shrub a full season to establish. Early fall planting can work in a sheltered spot, but spring is safer for blueberries here. Never plant after mid-October.
How to Plant Blue Ray Blueberry
- Test and acidify the soil first — blueberries need pH 4.5–5.2. Mix in plenty of peat moss and apply elemental sulfur ahead of planting.
- Dig wide, not deep, and backfill with a 50/50 blend of native soil and acidic peat/compost.
- Plant a second variety within a few feet for cross-pollination.
- Set the crown level with the soil and water in well.
- Mulch 3–4 inches with acidic mulch — pine bark, pine needles, or sawdust — kept off the stems.
- Do not let it fruit heavily the first year; pinch early blooms to build the plant.
Watering Blue Ray Blueberry in Minnesota
First Year Watering Schedule
- Weeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow
- Month 1–2: Every 3–4 days
- Month 3–6: 1–2 inches per week; blueberries have shallow roots and dislike drying out
- Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).
After Year One
Keep soil consistently moist, especially during fruit set and ripening. Use rainwater if your tap water is alkaline, as hard water slowly raises soil pH.
Do I need more than one blueberry?
Blue Ray will set some fruit alone, but planting a second variety nearby dramatically increases yield and berry size. Pair it with another zone 4 highbush or half-high.
Why are the leaves turning yellow?
Usually the soil isn't acidic enough — yellowing between green veins signals iron chlorosis from high pH. Re-test and add sulfur or an acidic fertilizer for blueberries.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes, to zone 4 — mulch heavily and choose a sheltered spot with good snow cover. In exposed sites, half-high varieties are the safer bet.
You May Also Like
- Patriot Blueberry — another zone 4 highbush; a great cross-pollination partner
- Northblue Blueberry — a compact MN-bred half-high for tough winters
- Chippewa Blueberry — sweet half-high, very cold-hardy