{"product_id":"pink-popcorn-blueberry","title":"Pink Popcorn Blueberry","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Cold-Hardy Half-High That Ripens Sweet PINK Berries\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePink Popcorn Blueberry (\u003cem\u003eVaccinium\u003c\/em\u003e 'Pink Popcorn') is a fun University of Minnesota introduction with a twist — its berries ripen pink instead of blue, with the same sweet, classic blueberry flavor. It's a hardy half-high with white-pink spring bells and red-orange fall color, making it both a conversation piece and a genuinely productive bush. Give it acidic soil and a second variety for the best crop. Whether you're surprising guests in Edina, filling an edible bed in Maple Grove, or adding novelty fruit in Woodbury — Pink Popcorn brings something different to zone 4b–5a gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePink Popcorn 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\u003c\/em\u003e 'Pink Popcorn' (half-high, U of MN)\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 (half-high blueberry)\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 color\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\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. 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 — berries ripen from white to pink; sweet classic flavor\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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePink Popcorn Blueberry Uses in Minnesota Gardens\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNovelty edible\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pink berries are a guaranteed conversation starter and a hit with kids in a Plymouth garden — same great flavor, unexpected color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEdible landscaping\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite-pink spring flowers, pink summer fruit, and red fall foliage make it doubly ornamental in an Eden Prairie bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eContainers and raised beds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all blueberries, it does best in acidic soil — a raised bed or large pot of peat-based mix is the simplest route in the Twin Cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Pink Popcorn 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 Pink Popcorn 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 Pink Popcorn 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, since hard water gradually raises soil pH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo the berries really taste like blueberries?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — the flavor is sweet and classic; only the color is different. Let them ripen fully to deep pink for the best taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a second variety for pink berries?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt fruits alone but yields more with a partner. Any zone 3–4 half-high or highbush blooming at the same time works as a pollinator.\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 in-ground plants; protect container roots over winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNorthblue Blueberry — classic dark-blue MN half-high; a good pollination partner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChippewa Blueberry — sweet, very hardy half-high\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSaint Cloud Blueberry — early-ripening MN half-high\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54312911208753,"sku":null,"price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/pink-popcorn-blueberry.jpg?v=1779557842","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/pink-popcorn-blueberry","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}