The ‘Silver Dollar’ blueberry bush is popular for its ornamental appeal and edible fruit. This variety offers a unique aesthetic and sweet berries. Its manageable size makes it suitable for various garden settings, including smaller spaces or containers.
Distinctive Features
The ‘Silver Dollar’ blueberry features striking foliage that changes color seasonally. In spring and early summer, leaves display a distinct silver-blue hue, reminiscent of eucalyptus, giving the plant its name. This silvery foliage transitions to emerald green in autumn. The plant has a compact, mounding habit, typically reaching 2 to 3 feet in height and spread.
Its berries are medium to large, firm, and sweet, often with hints of pineapple. This self-pollinating variety can produce fruit from a single plant. However, planting additional ‘Silver Dollar’ bushes or other mid-spring blooming blueberry varieties can significantly increase berry yield.
Cultivation and Care
Successful cultivation begins with proper site selection. The plant thrives in full sun, ideally receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. While it tolerates some afternoon shade, optimal fruit production occurs in brighter conditions. This blueberry variety is cold hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 10.
Blueberries require acidic, well-drained soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. A soil test is recommended before planting to determine pH. If the soil pH is too high, amendments like elemental sulfur or sphagnum peat moss can lower it. For pH above 6.5, growing in large containers with an acidic potting mix is often more practical.
Consistent moisture is necessary for ‘Silver Dollar’ blueberries due to their shallow root systems; regular watering is needed, especially during dry spells and fruit development, to ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Applying mulch, such as pine needles or bark, helps retain soil moisture and maintain acidity. Fertilize in early spring before flowering with a slow-release fertilizer for acid-loving plants. Pruning is minimal, primarily removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches in late winter to maintain plant health and shape. For young plants, remove fruit buds in the first two years to encourage root establishment.
Harvesting and Yield
‘Silver Dollar’ blueberries typically ripen from mid-July through October, offering a prolonged harvest season. Indicators of ripeness include berries turning a full blue color, with the underside transitioning from pink to blue. Berries sweeten further a few days after turning blue, so waiting a short period after they color up enhances flavor.
Harvest gently, picking individual berries when fully ripe to avoid damaging the plant or unripe fruit. A mature ‘Silver Dollar’ bush can produce a good yield, though quantities vary based on growing conditions and plant age. To protect ripening fruit from birds, cover bushes with netting. Harvested berries are versatile for fresh consumption, baking, or preserves.