Sweetheart Blueberry is a Northern-Southern hybrid that delivers an exceptional double harvest across the growing season. Developed in 1999 and introduced to home gardeners in 2010, this vigorous cultivar produces large, sweet berries in late May or early June, with a second lighter crop ripening in August in milder climates. Hardy in zones 4 through 8, it reaches 60 to 72 inches tall and yields up to 15 pounds per plant at maturity, making it a powerhouse for fresh eating and preserving alike.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-8
72in H x 48in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
This hybrid's greatest strength lies in its ability to deliver two harvests in a single growing season, something few blueberries can match. The berries themselves are large and abundantly sweet, with that characteristic juicy flavor that makes homegrown blueberries so prized. Cold-hardy down to zone 4 yet heat-tolerant enough for southern gardens, Sweetheart bridges the gap between Northern and Southern blueberry genetics beautifully. Self-pollinating nature means you don't need a second plant for fruit, though pairing it with other Northern Highbush or hybrid varieties will increase yields even further.
Sweetheart's large, flavorful berries are exceptional fresh off the bush, offering that perfect balance of sweetness and juiciness that defines premium homegrown blueberries. The abundant yields, up to 15 pounds per plant, make this variety particularly well-suited to home preserving; gardeners can freeze, jam, or bake with confidence that they'll have substantial harvests. Its suitability for hot climates expands its role beyond traditional northern berry gardens, bringing reliable blueberry production to regions where earlier varieties struggled.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Transplant young Sweetheart plants into prepared beds with acidic soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5) during dormancy, typically in early spring or fall. Space plants 60 inches apart to accommodate mature spread of 36 to 48 inches. Ensure full sunlight exposure for best production.
First crop berries ripen in late May or early June; pick when they reach full blue color with that characteristic silvery frost and feel soft to gentle pressure. The second crop matures in August, typically lighter than the first but equally flavorful. Harvest ripe berries every few days as they mature, since not all berries ripen simultaneously. Fully ripe berries will come away from the stem with a gentle twist.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Sweetheart represents a deliberate and successful cross between Northern and Southern blueberry genetics, developed in 1999 to create a cultivar that could thrive across a wider range of climates than traditional Northern Highbush varieties. By combining the cold hardiness of Northern genetics with the heat and humidity tolerance of Southern strains, breeders created a versatile plant that could perform in challenging environments. Introduced to the commercial market in 2010, it has since become valued by home gardeners seeking reliable, productive blueberries without geographic limitations.”