Blueberry Reka
A prolific early-season deciduous highbush blueberry that is notable for its exceptionally high productivity and reliable performance. Vaccinium corymbosum Reka originates from New Zealand and holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It provides attractive ornamental qualities alongside its dependable fruit yields, making it a functional addition to fruit beds, mixed borders, or patio containers. In Spring, the shrub produces clusters of delicate, bell-shaped white flowers that occasionally feature a subtle pink tint, attracting bees and other pollinators. These blossoms are followed by fresh green leaves that remain clean throughout the Summer while the fruit develops. By July and August, the plant bears dense clusters of medium to large, firm, dark blue berries that are sweet and flavourful. When Autumn arrives, the foliage changes to rich shades of burgundy and dark red, providing a strong display of colour before the leaves fall. While partly self-fertile, planting this variety near a different highbush blueberry pollination partner will result in increased crop yields. Due to its specific soil needs, growing it in a container with ericaceous compost is recommended if garden soil is naturally alkaline.
Site: Sheltered
Soil: Light, moist, well-drained, acid soil
Position: Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade
Pick: From mid-late summer
Keep: Will keep a few days in the fridge, longer than most blueberries
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Pollination: Partially self-fertile, but crops better with a different blueberry cultivar
Uses: Eating fresh, cooking, preserving, freezing
Image by Martha Merry cropped, and licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
