Blueberry plants (Vaccinium) are popular for both home gardens and commercial operations. Successfully growing them depends heavily on providing the correct environment, with proper planting distance being a key factor. The right amount of space determines the bush’s long-term health, vigor, and fruit production. Required distances vary based on the specific variety and the planting layout goals.
Standard Spacing for Highbush Varieties
Highbush varieties, including Northern and Southern types, are the most commonly cultivated blueberries in North America. Standard spacing maximizes the canopy and yield potential of these vigorous, upright shrubs. Plants should be spaced four to six feet apart within the row to allow for full, mature growth and easy maintenance.
This distance ensures adequate sunlight penetration and strong root development without immediate competition. Row spacing is typically eight to ten feet to accommodate pruning, harvesting, and maintenance tasks. Following these standard measurements supports the robust development of individual bushes, leading to consistent and high-quality harvests.
Adjusting Spacing for Specific Varieties and Layout Goals
While Highbush varieties follow a standard range, other blueberry types require adjustments due to their distinct growth habits.
Rabbiteye Blueberries
Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium virgatum) are more vigorous and grow larger than Highbush types, making them suited for warmer climates. These larger shrubs need more room to develop. They should be planted six to eight feet apart within the row, with ten to twelve feet between rows.
Lowbush Blueberries
Lowbush varieties (Vaccinium angustifolium) are much smaller, often reaching only one to two feet in height. These plants can be used as a fruiting ground cover. They can be planted closer together, typically two to four feet apart, to form a dense mat.
Spacing for Highbush Goals
The overall goal for the planting also dictates the final spacing for Highbush types. Gardeners planning for distinct, easily accessible individual bushes should use the wider end of the four-to-six-foot range. If the goal is to create a dense, continuous fruiting hedge, plants can be placed closer, at three to four feet apart. This closer spacing allows the canopies to merge, establishing a solid, linear wall of fruit production.
Consequences of Incorrect Planting Distances
Planting blueberry bushes too closely together negatively impacts plant health and productivity. Overcrowding reduces air circulation around the foliage and canes, leading to increased humidity. This moist microclimate is conducive to fungal pathogens, such as powdery mildew, which weakens the plant and diminishes fruit quality.
Overcrowding also causes fierce competition among the shallow, fibrous root systems for limited resources. Bushes planted too tightly struggle to absorb sufficient water and nutrients, resulting in stunted growth and reduced yields. This competition can increase susceptibility to diseases like Phytophthora root rot.
Planting bushes too far apart is less detrimental to health but is inefficient for the gardener. Excessive distance wastes valuable garden space and can modestly reduce overall yield. Cross-pollination between closely planted, different varieties generally leads to higher berry set and larger fruit size.