Blueberry Plants in Washington State

• Growing blueberries is big business in Washington State. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  Ample rainfall and fertile soils make Washington State ideal for growing blueberries. Highbush blueberries and sub-species thrive throughout Washington, but many other varieties grow well in the Northwest. Most types of blueberry plants prefer acidic soil. Blueberry plants growing in Washington have adapted to less sunlight due to long rainy seasons.

Chandler HighBush Blueberry Plant

• Highbush blueberries are known for producing large, sweet fruit. Blue berry image by marlot from Fotolia.com

  The Chandler Highbush blueberry plant is a deciduous shrub that produces an abundance of blueberries in Washington State and other regions of the Northwest. This is just one of the many high bush sub-species. This plant thrives in moist well-drained acidic soil. The Chandler Highbush blueberry plant can reach heights of up to 7 feet at full maturity. The fruit produced is deep blue or purple and the foliage is dark green and oval shaped. The bush also produces clusters of white flowers in the spring. Many growers prefer Highbush varieties because this variety produces more fruit than many other types due to its large size. The fruit is sweet and dark blue to deep purple.

Lowbush Blueberry

• Enjoy blueberry pancakes and other recipes with the bounty of your own harvest. Blueberry Waffles Breakfast image by JJAVA from Fotolia.com

  The Lowbush blueberry is a dwarf variety that also grows well in Washington State. This bush produces an abundance of small sweet blueberries, but the bush itself can only reach heights up to 2 feet. The fruit is generally dark blue or nearly black, but some bushes produce bright blue berries. This plant grows well in the Northwest, but it is not native to this area. Lowbush blueberries originate in the Northeastern United States and Central Canada. Lowbush blueberry plants make attractive displays for your front yard walkway. Plant these bushes along the edges of your house and enjoy the fruit they produce.

Duke Northern Highbush

• The Duke Northern Highbush is another Highbush sub-species that thrives in the Northwest. This particular variety grows best in Eastern parts of Washington State. The bush produces yellowish orange foliage in the fall. It can grow 4 to 6 feet tall on average. Duke Northern Highbush berries taste similar to other types of blueberries. These berries are compact with a sweet-tart flavor. Duke also prefers acidic soils and moderate sun.