Alpha Takes The Cake™ Blueberry

Vaccinium ashei ‘Vernon’

Known as the Vernon blueberry upon its release in 2004, Takes The Cake™ blueberry is another member of the Southern Living Plants Down Home Harvest collection. Like others in this series, Takes The Cake™ is late blooming and early ripening, making it great for avoiding frosts and still delivering large, sweet berries early in the summer in hot climates.

Rabbiteye blueberries differ from Northern Highbush blueberries primarily in that they thrive better in hot climates and are not as cold hardy. Additionally they require other Rabbiteye varieties for cross pollination. Ripens early in hot climates, late in cool summer regions. Requires heavily acidic soil and regular water. Needs 450+ chill hours.

USDA Zone: 7-9

Mature Height:  3′ to 4′ (Medium)

Sun: Full Sun

Ripening Time: Early/June in hot climates, Late/August in cool summer regions

Pollination: REQUIRES additional ashei variety for heaviest yields

Read our Blueberry Growing Guide