Vaccinium (Southern Highbush / Rabbiteye low-chill types)
Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade; protect from intense western exposure and reflected heat.
Water: Keep the shallow root zone consistently moist but never waterlogged. Containers may need daily watering during extreme heat; check moisture frequently. Rainwater or other low-alkalinity water is preferable.
Soil: Acidic, well-drained, organic-rich soil with a pH of 4.5–5.5. In Phoenix, use a large, well-drained container with an acidic pine-bark-based mix rather than native soil. Mulch to cool roots and conserve moisture.
Mature size: Usually 4–6 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide; compact cultivars may remain 2–4 feet tall and wide.
Bloom: Late winter to early spring in Phoenix, depending on cultivar and winter chill; insufficient chill can reduce flowering and fruit production.
Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous to semi-evergreen; some southern highbush cultivars retain foliage through mild Phoenix winters.
Growth rate: Moderate under suitable conditions; slower when stressed by heat or alkalinity.