Elliott

Family: Ericaceae Fruit

Bursting with a cool, blueberry-sweet perfume, Elliott ripens to a rich, true-blue sheen over a compact, garden-ready shrub.

The berries are medium-sized with a firm, juicy bite and a balanced flavor that shines in fresh bowls and becomes especially vivid in preserves and pies. Plant Elliott for a dependable, early-to-mid season harvest that feels as lush as it tastes—an orchard-worthy treat right at home.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Shrub

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Shrub
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Elliott’s firm, juicy berries give you a clean pop without turning into mush, even when they sit under sugar during baking. It’s the kind of blueberry that keeps its true-blue sheen in pie and stays fragrant in preserves rather than going flat.

Best Uses

fresh bowls with yogurt or cottage cheese
quick berry compote that stays glossy (minimal cook time)
classic blueberry pie filling with a tight set
sturdy preserves that keep their shape after maceration

Flavor Profile

cool blueberry-sweet perfume balanced tang-to-sugar medium berries with a firm, juicy bite

Kitchen Pairings

vanilla lemon zest Greek yogurt granola almond

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry) and what should I do?

Blueberry fungal fruit rot (often Botrytis) and twig dieback can show up as gray mold on berries and blackened tips after cool, wet weather. Remove and discard infected berries/twigs, improve airflow by thinning crowded growth, and avoid overhead watering—water the base instead. If problems persist, apply a labeled fungicide for blueberries and follow the timing on the product label during bloom/early fruit set.

How often should I water Vaccinium corymbosum during active growth?

During the main growing and fruiting period, keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged—aim for consistently damp soil to about 6–8 in (15–20 cm) deep. In many home gardens this means watering 1–2 times per week, increasing to about every 2–3 days during hot weather and reducing after rain. Because Vaccinium prefers acidic, moisture-retentive media, use mulch and check moisture by feel (top layer should not dry out completely).

How can I tell when Vaccinium corymbosum is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the berries are fully blue with a natural bloom (the dusty coating) and taste sweet—red or pale berries are not ready. The fruit is typically ready around 60 days after flowering/setting, and you can pick every few days because blueberries ripen in batches. Gently pull—ripe berries release with light resistance and snap off cleanly from the stem.