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Vaccinium darrowii 'Rosa's Blush'
Rosa's Blush' Blueberry, Scrub Blueberry, Darrow's Dwarf, Darrow's Evergreen Blueberry

Rosa’s Blush’ is a cultivar of a small Vaccinium species native to sandy pinelands and sand dunes in counties along the Gulf Coast as far West as Louisiana, and frost tolerant to zone 8a (some say, zone 7). There is disagreement as to whether this shrub should be grown for its all-season foliage display or for its sweet, edible berries. The shrub grows to 3-4 feet x about 3 feet wide. In the spring, new growth is bright pink turning to bluish green in summer and — even though it is evergreen — to deeper reds and purple as fall ensues. White/pink urn-shaped flowers in spring develop into small, sweetly edible blue-black berries in early summer. It is sun-loving and should be sited in a well drained location with acid pH (4 to 5.5). This species cannot tolerate standing water or alkaline soil. This blueberry will self-pollinate and set fruit, but studies have shown that there will be a sizable increase in fruit set if another variety of blueberry is close by for cross-pollination. Being evergreen and unusually attractive, ‘Rosa’s Blush’ would function beautifully as a specimen in a native garden, or, because it is small and so very ornamental, it would particularly lend itself to maintenance in a patio container. There, the berries can be harvested as they ripen a few a a time over a long period. Expect the shrub to be a bit smaller in a container, and, if container grown, care should be taken in winter to protect the plant as it will be susceptible to cold damage at our latitude if not in the ground. The USDA plant distribution map linked below is for the species, V. darrowii.

Last Updated: May 21, 2019

Key Info

Scientific Name: Vaccinium darrowii Camp cv. 'Rosa's Blush'
Common Names: Rosa's Blush' Blueberry, Scrub Blueberry, Darrow's Dwarf, Darrow's Evergreen Blueberry
Family Name: Ericaceae
Plant Type: Tree / Shrub
Uses: Shrub Border, Food source, Container
Light Requirement: Full sun, Partial/sunny, Partial/shady
Moisture Requirement: Dry, Medium, Moist well drained
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Bloom Times: Mar, Apr, May
Flower Color: White/pink
Special Characteristics: Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Drought tolerant, Edible fruit (in jams), Rhizomatous

Additional Info

Habit: Upright, densely branched shrub with rounded form
Height: 2' - 3'
Spread: 2' - 3'
Soil Conditions: Medium to dry or seasonally wet to dry, sandy, acid soil.
Leaves: Alternate, simple, evergreen; small leaves, variably colored with whitish bloom; margins thickened and revolute.
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Small, white/pink, waxy, urn-shaped, borne in axillary racemes in early spring.
Fruit: Small, blue-black berries ripening in early summer.
Natural Distribution: Pinelands and sand dunes along Gulf Coast.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 10
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: FACU
Pollination: Bees
Wildlife Connections: Mammals and birds eat fruit; moderate quality deer browse.
Cultural Notes: The species occurs in the most southerly counties of our most southerly states. A thick mulch will protect roots from winter cold in our climate and although it thrives in full sun to partial sun, some protection would be appreciated in winter. It probably looks best with little pruning, but if necessary, late winter is the recommended time so that the colorful new growth is not sacrificed.
Downside: This shrub does not tolerate wet soils or alkaline pH or urban pollution. It is also somewhat brittle and should be sited where it is close enough to pick the berries but clear of passers-by.
Propagation: Softwood cuttings in spring.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov

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Cure Nursery is a small nursery propagating and selling native plants for the Southeastern U.S. We are located near the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, in central NC.

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