Chippewa

Quick Facts

• Type: Highbush blueberry
• Season: Mid-season, typically ripening in July
• Flavor: Sweet, good-quality berries ideal for fresh eating and desserts
• Berry: Medium-sized, very light blue fruit with excellent quality
• Plant habit: Compact, upright shrub about 3–4 ft tall and wide; attractive red fall foliage
• Best for: Home gardens, edible landscapes, and high-yield production in short-season, cold climates
• Hardiness & culture: Hardy to Zone 4; requires acidic, well-drained soil and benefits from a second variety for larger crops

Bred at the University of Minnesota, Chippewa is a compact highbush blueberry that performs especially well in cold, short-season regions. Bushes grow about 3–4 feet tall with an upright habit and produce abundant crops of very light blue, sweet berries in mid-season, generally around July. The fruit is excellent for snacking, baking, and topping ice cream or cereal, making Chippewa a versatile choice for home use.

Beyond its productivity, Chippewa is also an attractive ornamental shrub, developing beautiful red foliage in the fall that adds color to the landscape. While considered self-fertile, it will set heavier crops and larger berries when planted with a different blueberry variety for cross-pollination. Hardy to Zone 4 and well suited to acidic soils, Chippewa is a strong option for northern gardeners seeking a compact, high-yielding blueberry.

For recommendations on spacing, soil preparation, and plant counts per row for blueberries, see our Blueberry Spacing & Planting Guide before planting.