'Patriot' Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) – Hardy small fruit plant – 15 cm pot – 50 cm tall – Set of 2

The 'Patriot' Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) reaches an adult height of approximately 1.2 to 1.5 metres with a similar spread, making it a medium-sized shrub with a compact shape. Its growth is moderate: allow a few years for it to reach its full size. You will receive 50 cm plants in 15 cm pots, already well established and ready to be planted in the garden or in a large container. This compact size makes it particularly suitable for small gardens, spacious balconies, and container growing on terraces.

The 'Patriot' Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is partially self-fertile, but cross-pollination by a second cultivar significantly improves the yield and quality of the berries. By planting two individuals close together, as in the set of 2 plants offered by Plant and Stories, you maximize visits from bees and bumblebees during the May to June bloom. The resulting fruit is then larger, more plentiful, and sweeter than on a single isolated plant. This is precisely why we offer this product in a set of 2: to guarantee you an abundant harvest from the very first seasons.

The 'Patriot' Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is a strict calcifuge plant that requires acidic soil with a pH between 4 and 5.5. Neutral or alkaline soil causes rapid iron chlorosis: the leaves yellow between the veins and the plant withers. To acidify soil that is too alkaline, incorporate powdered sulfur, iron sulfate, or special fertilizer for acid-loving plants at the time of planting. In a pot, opt for an equal mixture of heathland compost and heather soil.

The harvest of blueberries from the 'Patriot' Blueberry bush (Vaccinium corymbosum) generally runs from July to August, depending on the weather conditions in your region. The berries are ripe when they have taken on a uniform dark blue color with a light grey-blue bloom on the surface: taste a few, they should be sweet and not tart. It is advisable to pick them in small quantities, as the fruit does not ripen all at the same time on the same branch. A light pressure is enough to detach them without damaging the branches.

The 'Patriot' blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) grows very well in pots or containers on balconies and terraces, provided that a few essential rules are followed. Choose a container at least 40 to 50 cm in diameter and height, filled with an acidic substrate such as heathland potting mix. Watering must be more frequent than when planted in the ground, as the potting mix dries out quickly: always keep it slightly moist, preferably with rainwater or non-hard water.

Yes, the 'Patriot' blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is one of the hardiest large-leaf blueberry cultivars available on the market. It can withstand temperatures down to -25°C when planted in the ground, making it perfectly suited to almost all regions of France, including mountainous areas and northern France. It also requires a certain number of winter chilling hours (vernalization) to fruit well the following spring, making it an ideal plant for gardens that experience true winters.

The 'Patriot' Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) pairs naturally with other ericaceous plants that share its preference for acidic soil. Planted with azaleas, rhododendrons, or heather, it creates an acid-loving border that is both decorative and productive. To boost pollination and biodiversity, plant it near nectar-rich salvias or comfrey. With its magnificent orange and purple autumn colours, it pairs beautifully with an Acer palmatum or Enkianthus campanulatus.