Software
Houzz Logo Print
northwoodswis4

Aurora blueberry

15 years ago

I was excited by reports I read on here about Aurora blueberries, so decided to try to order some. Then I found that one nursery listed them as zones 5-8, while another listed them as zone 4. Has anyone in zone 4a tried them? I think I will hold off on them for a while until I hear reports of their hardiness. I'm also curious to hear reports of Reka in zone 4a. Thanks. Northwoodswis

Comments (8)

  • 15 years ago

    Northwoods, Literature I received from Degrandchamps, said that it's a Michigan State U cultivar released 4-5 years ago. The literature I have denotes it as a zone 5.

    Since it appears that a later bearing plant is what you're looking for, maybe Nelson, Blue jay and Bluegold*(my choice) are best.
    I'm not familiar with Reka
    good luck!
    Noogy

  • 15 years ago

    How exciting. I love adding different cultivars. Polaris is an early highbush, St. Cloud, and other half high types like Northland, Northblue, Chippewa, and Patriot* will perform well in z4. Have fun!

  • 15 years ago

    Yes, I have all of those, also. Aurora was supposed to be later for an extended season, but if it is that tender, it isn't worth trying this far north, it sounds like. Northwoodswis

  • 15 years ago

    Northwoods-
    I have access to many 1 yr rooted cuttings of 'patriot' I can send you if you want babies. 3-6" bare root. I'll have them in April if you'd like. I pay $.75 apiece. My intentions aren't commercial, obviously. Just a thought. It beats paying $15 for a 2yr plant!
    Noogy

  • 15 years ago

    Thanks, Noogy. I'll keep that in mind. I do have four Patriot bushes already, so might try rooting some here, too. So far the only thing that has been successful for me in that regard is bending a low branch along the ground and puttin a rock and a little dirt about six inches or so from the end so it can take root. Even that hasn't been terribly successful. I wonder if I should nick it or put rooting compound on it? I already have over 50 bushes in many varieties, but only about eight bushes have gotten a significant amount of berries on them so far. I dream of the day that I am as overwhelmed with the huge blueberry harvests as I have been with strawberries. I plan to till under about half the strawberries. Northwoodswis

  • 15 years ago

    NWoods,
    I'd scrape or even crack the branch. A little hormone wouldn't hurt. Good luck. Hardwood cuttings are easiest to root and they are taken late winter.
    I'm on my 3rd year of growth on 50 'Draper', 50 'Duke', 25 'Bluejay'.
    This year I planted 175 'Bluecrop', and 50 'Elliot'.
    Next spring I plan on 120 'Bonus', 120 'Legacy' and 80 more 'Elliott' bushes. I'll have berries from July to October.

    'Patriot' blooms too early for us here along lake mi. and gets zapped by late frosts especially in lower lying, poor air circulation areas.
    Noogy

  • 15 years ago

    Wow, Noogy! That's a lot of bushes! I hope they do well for you. Northwoodswis