Description
Vaccinium x ‘Pink Lemonade’
Plant Size: 5-6′ H x 5-6′ W (bushy, upright habit)
Soil Type: Acidic soil, regularly moist with good drainage
Light: Prefers full sun
Ripening Time: Mid-late season (late-July to mid-August)
Berry: Medium sized, very sweet pink berries
Pollination: Partially self fertile. Plant multiple varieties for better harvest.
Pink Lemonade is a completely unique variety with pink berries. They are a conversation starter with everyone who sees them. The large berries have a great berry flavor that is sweeter than most blueberries. They seem to be easier to grow than other varieties and are reported to grow well in heavy soils where other blueberries struggle. However, the crop size doesn’t seem to be very consistent. Planting another variety with them is important for cross pollination.
In Autumn the leaves of Pink Lemonade turn orange to crimson. We have found, in our area of Oregon, that this variety is semi-evergreen. So in winter the plants will typically keep about half of their leaves. The stems remain green with a light red blush.
Blueberry Type
Pink Lemonade is a Rabbiteye x Highbush cross that was introduced in 1996. This cross carries some of the characteristics of both parents. The highbush gives a smaller plants and larger, thinner skinned berries. Rabbiteye parentage brings the pink color, later fruiting and good disease resistance.
Planting Site
Blueberry plants need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. If they are planted in a site that doesn’t receive enough they will not set fruit. Blueberries grow best in rich acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5). You can improve the soil quality and acidity by mixing some organic compost with the soil at the planting site. After planting, mulching around the plant will help it to retain moisture.
Watering
Getting your blueberry plants the correct amount of water is essential to successful growth and fruiting. Blueberries want moist, but not soggy soil. How often you water depends on the weather and soil type. In general you will give them one gallon of water per square foot of plant space per week. This water should be applied once or twice during a week and not lightly each day. Light watering wets the soil surface, but does not saturate the root zone. Regular watering is especially crucial in summer. Even in our area of Oregon you should plan on irrigating your blueberry plants throughout the summer heat. They will not thrive without supplemental water when fruiting.
Fertilizer
To provide your plants with the nutrients that they need they should be feed in late winter through early summer. Use a fertilizer designed for acid loving plants like rhododendrons and blueberries. For the exact application times, follow the specific instructions for the fertilizer that you are using. A good rule of thumb is to feed blueberries in March and again in June.
Pests
Deer and birds love blueberries as much as you do. The best way to protect the fruit is to use fencing or netting.
