Monrovia patented the “Sunshine Blue” variety…so it was developed as an evergreen, low chill, easy to grow blueberry for the public that would buy it at a garden center. Pink blooms, blueish foliage, leaves turning bright orang-red and hanging on a couple months here but all winter in California and Florida. Chill hours only 150, but originally recommended for zones 7-10.
Sorry, I do not know it’s parents. (I guess could find by looking up the patent).
So, based on Monrovia info for use in landscapes, I picked Sunshine Blue and BlueGold to plant along the walk to the front door of a nice home in an exclusive gated community. I got paid … it wasn’t for myself.
Anyhow, the trial in zone 6 worked out, and now they’ve moved the data to say it’s even good for zone 5. The blooms and leaves are tolerant into mid 20’s while in bloom…but last year, when the berries were big as bbs or buckshot and it got to 22 degrees…there was quit a bit of damage to the fruit.
Fruit ripens midseason, smaller than many (but larger than the lowbush of Maine or N. Michigan). Total harvest is near 'average" and the fruits ripen over 15 to 20 day period.
Fine for the home gardener.
Clay/limestone soil and pH of 6.5 with a bit of azalea fertilizer scattered on the surface, mulched either with gravels or cypress. Soil not amended. Water here is typically 6.5 pH. Rainfall maybe a little lower than that. Little or no watering (we average 45 inches annually).
So, I sort of lucked into a good blueberry, as looks was one of the top considerations when I first tried this berry about 9 years ago. It is definitely hardy in zone 6, despite the low chill requirements. It is also self fertile, although development of the small seeds probably enhances size with fertilization/pollination.
The plant gets around 3 feet tall, maybe 42 inches. Can produce some suckering.
Taste of berries is “average”…after you’ve tasted berries from 8 or 10 varieties they about taste the same.