Blueberry Duke: The Perfect Early-Season Blueberry for Your Garden
Vaccinium corymbosum
Position
- Full sun to partial shade
- Sheltered from strong winds
- Avoid frost pockets
Hardiness
- Exceptionally cold-hardy to -34°C (-29°F)
- One of the most frost-resistant varieties
- Excellent winter survival rate
Soil Type
- Well-draining, moisture-retentive soil
- Rich in organic matter
- Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged conditions
Soil PH
- Acidic soil is essential
- Optimal pH range: 4.5-5.5
- Will not tolerate alkaline conditions
- Grab a soil test kit and ensure the perfect conditions for growth
Height
- Height: 120-150cm (4-5 feet)
- Spread: 90-120cm (3-4 feet)
Seasons of Interest
- Flowering: Early spring (March-April)
- Fruiting: Early season variety, harvesting mid-July
- Foliage: Green leaves through summer, turning bronze-red in autumn
Additional Notes
- Excellent early-season variety for reliable crops
- Self-fertile but yields improve with other varieties nearby
- Strong disease resistance
- Compact growth habit makes it suitable for containers
- Berries are medium-sized with excellent flavour
- Birds find the fruit particularly attractive – netting recommended
- Benefits from annual mulching with ericaceous compost
- Ideal for commercial and home growing
Everything You Need to Know About Blueberry Duke
Blueberry Duke is one of the best early-season varieties, prized for its high yield, firm texture, and mild, sweet flavour. This robust and cold-hardy bush is a favourite among gardeners who want reliable fruit production year after year. Blueberry Duke is an excellent choice whether you are growing blueberries in pots, raised beds, or directly in your garden. This guide covers everything you need to know about growing and caring for this superb cultivar.
What Makes Blueberry Duke Special?
Blueberry Duke stands out for its ability to produce fruit early in the season while maintaining excellent quality. The berries ripen early but improve in flavour after a short cold storage period. This variety is known for its mild sweetness, firm bite, and long shelf life. Additionally, it is a northern highbush variety, making it ideal for cooler climates.
How to Plant Blueberry Duke?
Choosing the Right Location
Blueberry plants thrive in full sun and require acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Ensure your chosen location gets at least six hours of sunlight per day. Blueberry Duke can be grown in pots, raised beds, or the ground.Preparing the Soil
Plant your Blueberry Duke in well-drained soil enriched with ericaceous compost to achieve the best results. If your soil is too alkaline, consider planting in pots with a suitable soil mix or amending your garden soil with sulphur to lower the pH.Planting the Bush
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and about 20 cm deep. Place the bush in the hole, ensuring the crown is level with the soil surface. Cover the roots with soil and water well to settle the plant.
Caring for Blueberry Duke
Watering Requirements
Blueberries require consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. Use rainwater if possible, as tap water can raise soil pH. Mulching with pine bark helps retain moisture and maintain soil acidity.
Feeding
Apply a balanced fertiliser formulated for acid-loving plants in early spring and again after fruiting. Avoid using standard fertilisers, as they may alter soil pH.Pruning for Optimal Growth & Fruit Production
Prune your blueberry bush in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Remove dead or weak branches and encourage new growth by thinning older canes. Pruning helps improve fruit production and maintains the shape of the bush.
Protecting Your Blueberry Crop
Netting to Protect from Birds
Birds love blueberries just as much as gardeners do. Cover your plants with netting during fruiting season to prevent them from eating your crop.Disease and Pest Management
Blueberry Duke is relatively disease-resistant but can still be affected by root rot in wet soils. Ensure proper drainage and avoid overwatering. Look for common pests like aphids and caterpillars, and treat them with organic solutions such as a pyrethrum spray if necessary.Harvesting Blueberry Duke
When to Pick the Berries
Blueberry Duke produces fruit in early summer, with berries ripening mid to late June. For the best flavour, the light blue berries should be left on the bush for a few days after turning fully blue.
How to Store Your Blueberries
Freshly picked blueberries can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks. For long-term storage, freeze them in a single layer before transferring to airtight containers.
Growing Blueberry Duke in Pots
Choosing the Right Pot
Select a large pot with at least 30 cm deep and wide drainage holes. Use ericaceous compost to ensure acidic conditions.Pot Maintenance
Potted blueberries dry out faster, so water them regularly. When watering, apply a liquid ericaceous plant food once a week through the growing season to maintain healthy growth.From Darren’s Patch
Blueberry Duke isn’t in my garden at the moment, but it’s one I keep recommending. Its early harvest is a real bonus if you’re keen to get a jump-start on the fruiting season, and I’m impressed by how firm and sweet the berries stay, even after a short time in the fridge. What stands out, though, is its reliability. Duke tends to deliver whether you’re growing in pots, beds, or less-than-perfect soil. I often suggest it for gardeners who want to ease into blueberry growing with something cold-hardy, tidy, and easy to care for. Pair it with a mid- or late-season variety, and blueberries ripen right through summer. Don’t forget the netting — the birds always know when they’re ready!
Key Points to Remember
- Plant in acidic, well-drained soil with a pH of 4.5-5.5
- Provide full sun for at least six hours a day
- Water with rainwater whenever possible
- Prune annually to encourage new growth and better fruit production
- Use netting to protect fruit from birds
- Harvest when berries are entirely blue and allow them to ripen on the bush for the best flavour
- Store fresh berries in the fridge or freeze them for long-term use
Following these guidelines, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious Blueberry Duke berries every season.
To see the RHS article, please click here
Explore our full collection of planting guides for expert advice on fruit varieties for your garden.
Want to learn about other fruit? Read about Blueberry Patriot here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Duke blueberry plant?
A: The Duke blueberry plant (Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Duke’) is a northern highbush variety known for its early-season, light blue berries. It’s a favourite among home gardeners due to its bushy growth, high yield, and excellent flavour.
Q: How do I care for my Duke blueberry bush?
A: Plant your Duke blueberry bush in acidic, well-drained soil and ensure it receives plenty of sunlight. Regular watering and annual pruning will help maintain its shape and encourage healthy growth.
Q: When do Duke blueberries bloom and ripen?
A: Duke blueberries bloom in late spring, with their berries ripening from mid to late summer. Though they flower later than some varieties, they provide a generous and reliable harvest.
Q: Do I need more than one Duke blueberry plant for pollination?
A: Duke blueberries are self-fertile, but planting multiple bushes or different blueberry varieties will enhance pollination and improve fruit yield.
Q: Can I grow Duke blueberry plants in pots?
A: Yes! Duke blueberry plants grow well in pots. Choose a container of at least 3 litres and use ericaceous compost to maintain the required acidic soil conditions.
Q: How do I protect my Duke blueberries from frost?
A: On cold nights, cover the plants with horticultural fleece to protect your Duke blueberries from late spring frosts or position them in a sheltered location. This helps safeguard the delicate blossoms and ensures a strong fruiting season.
Q: Where can I buy Duke blueberry plants?
A: Duke blueberry plants are available at garden centres and online retailers. Always buy from a reputable supplier to ensure you receive healthy, high-quality plants.
Q: How much sunlight do Duke blueberry plants need?
A: Duke blueberries thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. This encourages vigorous growth and maximises fruit production.
Q: What should I do if my Duke blueberry bush droops under the weight of fruit?
A: If your Duke bush sags under the weight of its berries, provide support by staking or using a plant cage. This prevents damage to the branches and ensures healthy fruit development.