{"product_id":"patriot-blueberry","title":"Patriot Blueberry","description":"\u003ch1\u003eBig, Firm, Early Berries on a Cold-Hardy, Adaptable Highbush\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePatriot Blueberry (\u003cem\u003eVaccinium corymbosum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Patriot') is a standout highbush variety — unusually cold-hardy, early-ripening, and more tolerant of heavier, wetter soils than most blueberries. It produces large, firm, flavorful berries on an attractive bush with showy white spring flowers and red-orange fall color. Give it acidic soil and a second variety nearby for the heaviest crop. Whether you're starting a berry patch in Edina, filling a sunny bed in Maple Grove, or adding a productive shrub in Woodbury — Patriot brings early homegrown blueberries to zone 4b–5a gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePatriot 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 'Patriot'\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\u003e3–5 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\u003e3–4 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; tolerates heavier soil better than most blueberries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (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. More forgiving of heavier soils, but still needs acidity; amend 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\u003eEarly — early to midsummer; large, firm berries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed-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\u003eReliable to zone 3 — one of the hardiest highbush types\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePatriot Blueberry Uses in Minnesota Gardens\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEarly-season berry patch\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePatriot ripens early, extending your harvest when paired with midseason types in a Plymouth garden. Plant a second variety for cross-pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTougher sites\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts tolerance of heavier, damper soil makes it a better fit for Minnesota clay-loam than fussier highbush varieties — though it still needs acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEdible landscaping\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite spring bells, summer fruit, and red fall color make it an ornamental edible shrub in Eden Prairie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Patriot 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. Never plant after mid-October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Patriot Blueberry\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTest and acidify the soil first — blueberries need pH 4.5–5.2. Mix in 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\u003ePinch first-year blooms so the plant builds roots before fruiting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Patriot 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; keep evenly moist\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, since hard water gradually raises soil pH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes Patriot a good choice for Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt combines highbush-sized berries with zone 3 hardiness and better tolerance of heavier soils — a forgiving entry point for first-time blueberry growers here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a second variety?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt fruits alone but yields much more with a partner. Pair Patriot with Blue Ray or a half-high for overlapping bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — hardy to zone 3. Mulch heavily and site out of harsh, drying wind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlue Ray Blueberry — midseason highbush; a good pollination partner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChippewa Blueberry — very hardy half-high\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuperior Blueberry — late-season MN half-high to extend the harvest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54312911143217,"sku":null,"price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/patriot-blueberry.jpg?v=1779557842","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/patriot-blueberry","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}