Hi guys, I’m still overthinking my blueberry location choice. I thought they would flourish in full sun, but a friend mentioned that her (unknown cultivar) blueberries do better in shade than full sun. I have a shady spot I could put them in but it’s pretty dang shady. Thoughts?
Full sun. They just have shallow root systems and need consistent moisture, that’s probably what they’re seeing and is misattributing it
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Based on my experience experience with northern highbush varieties they do not like “full sun”! Now full sun in the northern/northeastern states is a whole lot different than in the panhandle of Texas where we are….the sun angle and uv are much stronger and longer as you move more southward. I would definitely give them filter sunlight or half day sun at a minimum.
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@Phlogopite @Natdcfruit Guys these are opposing opinions XD Is one or both of these a highbush blueberry?
They are both northern highbush variety. Does your summer reach and go above 90f for the majority of the summer? Which part of the U.S are you located in? They can survive in full sun but won’t thrive n flourish depending on the weather during the summer months.
Okay, I thought so but lost my confidence.
I’m in NE Ohio, so we do have 90f days, but I’m not sure I’d say majority of the summer; I’d have to look at our recent previous summers. Where I’m currently thinking of putting them would get pretty constant sun exposure, but I could put them down by the grapes, which will likely get at least a little shade if not more than I wanted. I’m too indecisive and too new to this!
I imagine full sun means slightly different things depending on our locations. Here is what OSU publishes
If you located in NE Ohio then an almost all day sun location would be ok! It’s really all depend on the microclimate in your yard. A little shade or filter sunlight in the day would be ideal, just don’t put it where it gets too much shade because your plant structure would get tall n lanky and the potential fruit buds would be way less than if it was in a good sunny location. Also remember that sunlight is what will really sweeten up those berries but also if it’s too much sunlight then that would also really shrivel up your berries fast Haa.
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Just a thought to add- I’m in Maryland and moved mine from afternoon sun to full sun, and they’re SO much happier. My too-much-sun-contingency plan is to put shade cloth on the netting structure if I start seeing issues (which I am expecting come July and august). So, you can always modify the amount of sun.
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