HybridContainer OK

Elliott Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum 'Elliott'

The season extender that blueberry enthusiasts dream about, Elliott produces sweet, firm berries well into late summer when other varieties have finished. This vigorous highbush variety offers excellent cold hardiness and consistent heavy yields of medium-large berries with exceptional storage quality. Its extended harvest period makes it invaluable for home gardeners wanting fresh blueberries from July through September.

Sun

White-Tailed Deer

☀️

Zones

3–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-12 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Elliott Blueberry in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 berry →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Elliott Blueberry · Zones 3–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing5-6 feet apart

SoilAcidic, well-drained soil high in organic matter

pH4.5-5.5

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonSpring and Summer

FlavorSweet with mild tartness, firm texture and excellent fresh eating quality

ColorMedium to dark blue with light bloom

SizeMedium-large, 0.5-0.6 inches

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	June – August	—	June – September
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	June – September
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	June – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	June – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	June – November

Complete Growing Guide

Light: White-Tailed Deer. Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Blue to purple small round fruits that show up in August, ripening from a green to pink color to full ripeness. Females cannot produce fruit on their own. Fruit is edible.

Color: Blue, Green, Pink, Purple/Lavender. Type: Berry. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: The berries are edible and have been used raw, sun-dried. smoke-dried, and baked. They have high iron content.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Elliott berries store exceptionally well compared to other varieties—up to 2 weeks refrigerated in shallow containers lined with paper towels. Don't wash until ready to eat, as moisture promotes mold. For short-term storage, keep at room temperature for 2-3 days to allow full flavor development.

Elliott's firm texture makes it outstanding for freezing. Spread unwashed berries on cookie sheets, freeze solid, then transfer to freezer bags. They maintain texture better than most varieties when thawed. For jam-making, Elliott's natural pectin content creates firm sets without added thickeners. The variety's extended season also makes it perfect for small-batch preserving—process berries weekly as they ripen rather than dealing with one massive harvest.

History & Origin

Origin: Eastern North America

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Compaction, Fire, Wet Soil
+Attracts: Edible fruit, Wildlife Food Source
+Edible: The berries are edible and have been used raw, sun-dried. smoke-dried, and baked. They have high iron content.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Azalea

Shares similar acidic soil requirements and shallow root system

Rhododendron

Compatible acid-loving plant that doesn't compete for nutrients

Pine Trees

Naturally acidify soil through needle drop and provide wind protection

Ferns

Thrive in acidic conditions and provide ground cover without root competition

Cranberry

Similar pH and moisture requirements, compatible growing conditions

Heather

Acid-loving companion that attracts beneficial pollinators

Strawberry

Ground cover that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds

Thyme

Attracts pollinators and repels harmful insects while tolerating acidic soil

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits blueberry growth and fruit production

Brassicas

Prefer alkaline soil conditions opposite to blueberry requirements

Cedar Trees

Can harbor rust diseases that may spread to blueberry plants

Nutrition Facts

Protein

0.703g(1%)

Carbs

14.6g(5%)

Fat

0.306g(0%)

Vitamin C

8.06mg(9%)

Iron

0.34mg(2%)

Calcium

11.7mg(1%)

Potassium

85.6mg(2%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346411)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to mummy berry and stem canker

Common Pests

Blueberry maggot, aphids, scale insects, birds during harvest

Diseases

Anthracnose, phytophthora root rot, bacterial canker

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Elliott blueberry take to produce fruit?▼

Elliott blueberry bushes typically produce their first small harvest in year 2, with full production beginning in year 3-4. Once established, mature bushes yield 8-15 pounds annually. The extended growing season means Elliott takes slightly longer to establish than early varieties, but the wait is worth it for the late-season harvest.

When should I plant Elliott blueberry bushes?▼

Plant Elliott blueberry bushes in early spring after the last frost date, or in fall 6-8 weeks before hard freeze. Spring planting is preferred in zones 4-5 for better winter establishment. Container-grown plants can be planted throughout the growing season with adequate watering.

Can you grow Elliott blueberries in containers?▼

Yes, Elliott blueberries grow well in large containers (minimum 20 gallons) filled with acidic potting mix. Use containers with drainage holes and move pots to protected locations during harsh winters in zones 4-5. Container plants need more frequent watering and fertilizing than ground-planted bushes.

What does Elliott blueberry taste like compared to other varieties?▼

Elliott blueberries have a sweet flavor with mild tartness and exceptionally firm texture. They're less aromatic than early varieties like Duke but maintain their sweetness longer on the bush. The firm texture makes them excellent for baking and freezing, holding their shape better than softer varieties.

Do Elliott blueberry bushes need a pollinator?▼

While Elliott blueberries are self-fertile, they produce significantly larger yields when cross-pollinated with other highbush varieties. Plant Jersey, Bluecrop, or other midseason varieties nearby for best fruit set. Having multiple varieties also extends your overall harvest season from July through September.

Why are my Elliott blueberries not ripening until very late?▼

Elliott is naturally a very late-season variety, ripening 4-6 weeks after early varieties like Duke. Berries typically don't begin ripening until late August, continuing through September. This extended season is Elliott's main feature—if you want earlier berries, plant complementary early or midseason varieties alongside Elliott.