Vaccinium corymbosum

Habitat: forested wetlands, shrub swamps, bogs, upland woods; dry to wet woods, thickets, stream banks, rock outcroppings

Wildlife value: Flowers attract butterflies and bees. This plant provides nectar for pollinators and supports Brown Elfin larvae. Adult Brown Elfin butterflies feed on flower nectar. Its fruit attracts small mammals, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, black bears, squirrels, and songbirds, including American Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Scarlet Tanager, Eastern and Spotted Towhees, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, and Northern Cardinal. The twigs provide food source for deer and rabbits. Members of the genus Vaccinium support bees

Notes: Blueberries prefer sandy or rocky material and require a lower soil pH than many other small-fruit crops and other plants. Therefore, consider grouping them with other acid-loving plants such as hollies, azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias. Before planting, take a soil test. The ideal pH for highbush blueberry is 5.0.  Little annual attention is required, except for occasional pruning. Prune out the oldest and weakest wood near the base of the plant (no more than a quarter of the plant) in late winter to encourage strong new growth, leaving growth that has the most of the fat fruiting buds, and remove any growth spreading out toward the ground. Plant two or more selections that bloom at the same time for best fruit production.