Vaccinium DownHome Harvest® Takes the Cake™ Blueberry

A Southern Living® rabbiteye blueberry variety from the DownHome Harvest® Collection, Takes the Cake has been rigorously tested and chosen for its greater vigor and higher yields of larger fruits with better flavor. An improved variety, it makes home growing easier than ever. And rabbiteye blueberries, a Vaccinium ashei species, are native to the Southeast and tolerate heat and humidity.

Blueberry bushes are attractive plants that fit beautifully into an edible landscape. Takes the Cake grows at a moderate rate and has a compact, upright habit, reaching a mature size of about 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Setting pretty white flowers, the plant blooms late, avoiding frost damage; yet it ripens quickly, consistently producing heavy yields of large and firm berries with great color, sweet flavor, and a long shelf life. During the season, the bush attracts pollinators, including butterflies and birds, and in fall, it turns brilliant shades of red and orange. Blueberry bushes are best grown in groups or masses and are perfect for woodland gardens. They also make nice hedges and screens. The bushes grow well in a container or in mixed beds and borders, alongside perennials. Just make sure you allow plants adequate space for healthy root development.

For best fruiting and color, plant blueberries in sunny spots with consistently moist, well-draining, acidic soil, having a pH of 4.5 to 5.2. Takes the Cake is disease and pest resistant. Fertilize plants in spring. Prune after fruiting.

Rabbiteye blueberries are self-pollinating but planting two or more rabbiteye varieties with similar bloom times encourages cross-pollination, producing larger yields of bigger berries. Planting early, mid-season, and late-fruiting varieties extends the blueberry season from early June to the end of the summer.

For more expert advice on nurturing your blueberry plants and other delicious fruits, be sure to check out our blog titled "Tips for Growing Delicious Berries, Grapes, Apples, Citrus, and More!" Our blog offers a wealth of information on cultivating a thriving garden, ensuring you get the most out of your blueberry plants and beyond.