Northblue

Quick Facts

• Type: Half-high blueberry (highbush × lowbush cross)
• Season: Mid-season ripening
• Flavor: Sweet, juicy berries with a pleasing sugar-to-acid balance and noticeable tart edge
• Berry: Large, firm, dark blue fruit considered among the best-tasting half-high blueberries
• Plant habit: Compact, 3–4 ft tall shrub with glossy dark green foliage turning deep red in fall
• Best for: Small yards, containers, and home landscapes in cold regions similar to Minneapolis–St. Paul
• Hardiness & culture: Very cold hardy (Zone 3–8); prefers well-drained acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.0) and benefits from a pollinator variety for heavier yields

Introduced in 1983, Northblue is a half-high blueberry bred for cold climates and smaller spaces. Plants grow to about 3–4 feet tall with a compact, rounded habit, making them ideal for foundation plantings, mixed borders, and edible landscapes. Despite their size, they produce abundant crops of large, firm, dark blue berries with excellent blueberry flavor and a sweet-tart balance that many growers consider the best among half-high types.

Northblue is well suited to Zone 3 conditions and performs reliably in regions with winters similar to Minneapolis–St. Paul, while often yielding even more heavily in slightly milder zones. The foliage is ornamental—glossy dark green in summer, turning a vivid red in fall. While technically self-pollinating, Northblue will produce larger crops and bigger berries when paired with another compatible blueberry. As with all blueberries, it requires well-drained, acidic soil with a pH around 4.5–5.0 for best results.

For spacing, soil prep, and plant count guidelines for half-high blueberries, see our Blueberry Spacing & Planting Guide before planting.