{"product_id":"blue-ray-blueberry","title":"Blue Ray Blueberry","description":"\u003ch1\u003eBig, Sweet Highbush Berries on a Vigorous, Productive Bush\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Ray Blueberry (\u003cem\u003eVaccinium corymbosum\u003c\/em\u003e '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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBlue Ray Blueberry Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eVaccinium corymbosum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Blue Ray'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous fruiting shrub (northern highbush)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–6 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–5 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours) for the best yields and sweetness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to high — 1–2 inches per week; shallow roots need steady moisture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcidic, pH 4.5–5.2 — essential. Most Minnesota soils are too alkaline; amend heavily with peat and elemental sulfur.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollination\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-fertile but yields far better with a second blueberry variety nearby\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMidseason — mid- to late summer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrilliant red-orange foliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardy to zone 4; mulch well and site out of harsh wind\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBlue Ray Blueberry Uses in Minnesota Gardens\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProductive berry patch\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant Blue Ray with another highbush or half-high variety for cross-pollination and bigger harvests in a Plymouth garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEdible landscaping\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith white spring bells, summer fruit, and fiery fall color, it earns a spot in an ornamental edible bed in Eden Prairie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRaised beds and containers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Blue Ray Blueberry in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring (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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Blue Ray Blueberry\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTest 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep, and backfill with a 50\/50 blend of native soil and acidic peat\/compost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant a second variety within a few feet for cross-pollination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet the crown level with the soil and water in well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 3–4 inches with acidic mulch — pine bark, pine needles, or sawdust — kept off the stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not let it fruit heavily the first year; pinch early blooms to build the plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Blue Ray Blueberry in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: 1–2 inches per week; blueberries have shallow roots and dislike drying out\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep soil consistently moist, especially during fruit set and ripening. Use rainwater if your tap water is alkaline, as hard water slowly raises soil pH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need more than one blueberry?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are the leaves turning yellow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsually 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, to zone 4 — mulch heavily and choose a sheltered spot with good snow cover. In exposed sites, half-high varieties are the safer bet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePatriot Blueberry — another zone 4 highbush; a great cross-pollination partner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNorthblue Blueberry — a compact MN-bred half-high for tough winters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChippewa Blueberry — sweet half-high, very cold-hardy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54304809189681,"sku":null,"price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/blue-ray-blueberry.jpg?v=1779557843","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/blue-ray-blueberry","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}