Southern Living? DownHome Harvest? Takes The Cake? Blueberry Shrub - Vaccinium ashei 'Vernon'

Southern Living® DownHome Harvest® Takes The Cake® Blueberry Shrub (Vaccinium ashei 'Vernon')

This rabbiteye blueberry variety delivers abundant harvests of large, flavorful berries alongside delicate spring blooms, making it a must-have for edible gardens across the Southeast. Known for its early ripening season, exceptional taste, and long storage capability, many gardeners buy Southern Living® DownHome Harvest® Takes The Cake® Blueberry online to establish their first fruit garden or expand an existing home orchard. The shrub's natural resistance to common pests and diseases, paired with impressive heat and humidity tolerance, ensures reliable performance even in challenging Southern growing conditions.

Landscaping Uses

Plant this blueberry in garden beds or containers where it receives full sun to partial shade and well-draining, acidic soil. Pair it with other rabbiteye blueberry varieties to enhance cross-pollination and maximize fruit yield. This shrub works beautifully as a specimen plant in ornamental edible gardens, along property lines, or in raised beds where you can control soil pH more easily. Its attractive white flowers add spring interest before giving way to the main attraction—abundant berries perfect for fresh eating, baking, jams, and preserves.

Specifications

Height: 6–8 feet at maturity
Width: 4–6 feet at maturity
Growth Rate: Moderate
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Consistently moist, well-draining soil
Soil: Acidic, pH 4.5–5.5
USDA Zones: 7–10

Why Homeowners Love It

• Produces generous crops of large berries with outstanding flavor and firm texture
• Blooms early in spring with delicate white flowers before fruit development
• Thrives in Southern heat and humidity without extensive maintenance requirements
• Naturally resists common diseases and pests found in warm climates

Planting & Care

Plant your blueberry within four weeks of arrival in a location with full to part sun and well-draining soil. Test your soil pH before planting—blueberries require acidic conditions between 4.5 and 5.5, so amend with peat moss if needed or consider container growing for better pH management. Space plants 5–6 feet apart and apply mulch around the base to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Water regularly during the first growing season, keeping soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. In late winter or early spring, prune out dead wood and crossing branches to encourage airflow and productive growth, then fertilize with an acid-loving plant formula as new growth emerges.