Vaccinium 'Sweetheart' Blueberry

Vaccinium 'Sweetheart' Blueberry is the only one of its kind in the world. A blueberry that sets 2 crops instead of just 1 has long been a dream of many gardeners, and now 'Sweetheart' has made it come true . . . deliciously.

'Sweetheart' is technically a northern highbush blueberry, but it thrives from north to south, needing no pollinator to set up to 15 pounds of berries a year. (Yes, you read that correctly.) The first crop is in late spring or early summer. The second is at summer's end. You won't believe the yields—plump, firm, delicious berries with a very sweet bite.

And you don't need to do anything special to get this blueberry bush to work its re-fruiting magic. It's just as easy to grow as any other blueberry, thriving in full sun in cool northern climates, afternoon or partial shade farther south and west. If you have other blueberry varieties growing in the garden, no problem—'Sweetheart' will actually set even more berries if planted near other varieties. It is quite cold-hardy, thriving with 750 to 800 chill hours.

'Sweetheart' is the result of breeding work at Duke University from Dr. Mark Ehlenfeldt, and we are delighted to be able to offer it to you this season. Expect the shrub to reach 5 to 6 feet high and about 3 to 4 feet wide, with white blooms in spring before the masses of frosty blue berries. Eat them fresh from the garden or turn them into jams, jellies, pies, and sauces.