Hello, how many blueberries can I plant in a half wine barrel please?

Hi Leanne 

Blueberries grow to about 2 metres tall and 1.5 metres wide so for the tree to really perform and have the space it requires, then one per barrel would be best.

There are three different types – Rabbiteye, Highbush and Lowbush. The Rabbiteye is evergreen, requires a pollinator and is not as fussy as to what sort of soil it grows in – blueberries prefer an acid soil. Rabbiteye doesn’t tolerate cold temperatures as well as the other types. Highbush blueberries are deciduous so lose their leaves in winter and are self-fertile. A pollinator will improve yield, and they tolerate cooler temperatures. Lowbush blueberries are deciduous, require a pollinator, tolerate cooler temperatures in winter and are not as tall growing.

If growing in a container for aesthetics I would plant a Rabbiteye variety as it is evergreen, grows in most regions and will look good year round planted in a barrel. If you're wanting to plant multiple plants, look for lower growing varieties. You may be able to fit two or three plants in a barrel, some grow to 60cm high and wide.

If making multiple plantings in one barrel, they will need to be regularly watered and fertilised. The best mix to use would be Tui Superlight Potting Mix as it is peat based and has slightly acid soil properties or Tui Citrus & Fruit Mix, a specialty mix for fruiting trees.

Thanks, Tui Team.