Polaris

Quick Facts

• Type: Half-high blueberry (highbush × lowbush hybrid)
• Season: Early-season; one of the earliest maturing half-high blueberries
• Flavor: Sweet, notably aromatic flavor that stands out despite smaller berry size
• Berry: Smaller, firm blue berries with intense aroma and good eating quality
• Plant habit: Compact, upright shrub about 3–4 ft tall and wide; ideal for containers and small landscapes
• Best for: Cold-climate gardens, borders, and containers needing early blueberries with exceptional flavor
• Hardiness & culture: Extremely cold hardy (Zones 3–8); self-fertile but benefits from cross-pollinators like Top Hat, Pink Lemonade, or Northland; prefers full sun and acidic, well-drained soil

Polaris is a small but mighty half-high blueberry that combines rugged cold hardiness with excellent fruit quality. As one of the earliest-maturing blueberries in its class, it brings sweet, highly aromatic berries into the kitchen in late July to early August, ahead of many mid-season varieties. The berries are smaller than some highbush types, but their firm texture and distinctive aroma make them excellent for fresh eating and baking.

The shrub grows compact and upright, typically around 3–4 feet tall and wide, with white spring flowers and attractive red fall foliage that make it a strong candidate for edible landscaping and container plantings. Polaris is self-fertile, but yields and berry size improve when planted with another compatible blueberry such as Top Hat, Pink Lemonade, or Northland. Like other blueberries, it thrives in full sun and acidic, well-drained soil and responds well to annual mulching and light, organic fertilization.

For recommendations on spacing, soil preparation, and plant counts for half-high blueberries and container plantings, see our Blueberry Spacing & Planting Guide before planting.