ARS | Publication request: "Blue Suede"TM: A southern highbush blueberry for the home gardener

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Germplasm Registration
Publication Acceptance Date: November 19, 2009
Publication Date: February 1, 2010
Citation: Nesmith, S.D., Ehlenfeldt, M.K. 2010. "Blue Suede"TM: A southern highbush blueberry for the home gardener. HortScience. 45:302-303.

Technical Abstract: ‘Blue SuedeTM’ is a new southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium hybrid) jointly released by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the University of Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service for the homeowner market. ‘Blue SuedeTM’ produces an abundance of attractive, light-blue fruit that are generally large and have good flavor. The plant of ‘Blue SuedeTM’ is vigorous, and fall foliage develops an attractive deep red color. The cultivar is estimated to have a chilling requirement of 500 to 550 h below 7 °C. It is estimated that ‘Blue SuedeTM’ will perform well in USDA hardiness zones 6a through 9a. In the Southeast, this new cultivar ripens early compared to rabbiteye cultivars generally available to home gardeners through large commercial nursery outlets.