Darrow Blueberry is a vigorous, late-season highbush variety that delivers some of the largest berries you'll find on any blueberry plant, each the size of a quarter. Introduced in 1965, it thrives in hardiness zones 5 through 8 and reaches 4 to 6 feet tall and wide, making it a substantial addition to any fruit garden. The bush produces abundantly in August with pink-kissed flowers in spring and vibrant scarlet foliage come fall. Self-pollinating and particularly well-suited to maritime climates like the Pacific Northwest, Darrow takes 2 to 3 years to reach bearing maturity but rewards patient gardeners with consistently heavy crops of firm, flavorful berries.
72
Full Sun
Moderate
5-8
72in H x 72in W
—
High
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Darrow's colossal berries are legendary among blueberry growers, rivaling any other variety in size while maintaining firm texture and bright, light blue color. The bush is vigorous and upright, delivering consistent heavy production year after year despite its late-season ripening window. Its stunning fall color display and spring blooms make it ornamentally appealing beyond the fruit it produces, while its self-pollinating nature means you can grow it solo without needing a pollinator partner.
Darrow berries are enjoyed fresh off the bush, their firm texture and sweet-tart character making them equally suited to eating out of hand or adding to breakfast bowls and desserts. The large size and firm flesh also make them excellent candidates for freezing, as they hold their form well during storage and thawing. Their abundance and consistent production appeal to gardeners who want to preserve blueberries for winter use.
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Darrow blueberry is sold as a containerized plant or bare-root whip. Plant in early spring before growth begins or in fall in mild climates. Space plants 6 feet apart. Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball and at the same depth; blueberries should sit at the same level they were growing in their nursery container. Backfill with acidic soil amended with peat moss or sulfur if needed to reach the target pH of 4.5 to 5.5.
Darrow berries ripen throughout August and are ready to pick when fully light blue in color; they will not continue to ripen after harvest, so wait until they reach full color maturity. The large, firm berries are easy to spot and pick by hand. Gently roll ripe berries into your palm or use a berry rake for faster harvesting; the firmness of Darrow fruit makes it less prone to damage than softer varieties.
Pruning Darrow focuses on maintaining an open, upright structure and encouraging new growth that produces the heaviest fruit. In the first 2 to 3 years before the plant reaches bearing age, light pruning to shape the bush is sufficient. Once productive, remove any dead, diseased, or crossing canes in late winter while the plant is dormant, and thin crowded interior growth to improve air circulation and sun penetration.
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“Darrow Blueberry was introduced in 1965, arriving during a period when commercial and home blueberry breeding was expanding rapidly across North America. The variety emerged as breeders sought to extend the harvest season and develop plants capable of producing exceptionally large, firm berries suited to both fresh eating and shipping. Its vigorous growth habit and reliable production made it attractive to both commercial growers in maritime regions and home gardeners seeking a dependable late-season variety.”