Key features
AwardsRHS Award of Garden Merit
Final size1.5 x 1.5 metres in 10 years
FruitDual purpose (eating & cooking)
Pollination groupPartially self fertile (planting alongside a pollinator will yield better results)
Cropping period Mid season
Description
‘Duke’ is an award-winning early season Blueberry, ready for picking from late June to July. Considered one of the most productive varieties, ‘Duke’ blueberries have a sweet and mild flavour and are preceded by pretty white-cream blossom in the spring. Green foliage turns a vibrant shade of red-gold in autumn. Enjoy the fruits fresh out of hand, cook into desserts, or freeze them for a later date.
Forming a bushy but compact and upright habit, ‘Duke’ Blueberry is happiest planted in an acidic well-draining soil or ericaceous compost. ‘Duke’ is also suitable for container growing—perfect for patios and terraces.
AKA Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Duke’
Planting Steps
1Preparation
- Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of year, whereas bare roots need to be planted between November and March.
- Clear weeds and grass within a metre of the planting hole.
- Dig a hole as deep as the root mass and twice as wide.
- To help your plant establish more effectively, sprinkle Rootgrow in the hole.
2Planting
- Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole.
- Ensure the top of the plant’s compost is flush with the level of the surrounding soil and the graft union or collar of the tree is above ground level.
- Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost.
- Fill in the hole, firming the soil gently.
3Last Steps
- Water generously around the base of the plant.
- If you are planting either a single stem tree or mature standard tree, we recommend adding a staking kit and rabbit guard.
Aftercare Advice
Trees and shrubs require a good watering regime for a couple of years whilst they establish. Water well and regularly through spring and summer, increasing in hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. It is advisable to keep the area free of competing weeds and grass during this period.
For more detailed advice and video guides, please visit our Help & Advice section.
