Vaccinium corymbosum 'Misty'
Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade. Protect from intense western exposure and reflected heat; excessive shade reduces fruit production.
Water: Keep the shallow root zone consistently moist but never waterlogged. Check containers daily during extreme heat and irrigate as needed. Low-alkalinity water, such as rainwater or reverse-osmosis water, helps maintain acidic soil.
Soil: Acidic, well-drained, organic-rich growing medium with pH 4.5–5.5. In Phoenix, use a large container with an acidic mix containing pine bark, peat moss, and perlite rather than planting directly in alkaline native soil. Mulch to conserve moisture, keeping mulch away from stems.
Mature size: Approximately 4–6 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide; often smaller in containers.
Bloom: Typically flowers in late winter to early spring, with berries ripening in late spring to early summer. Timing and yield depend on winter chilling and spring temperatures.
Evergreen / deciduous: Semi-evergreen in mild winters; may become deciduous with colder weather or stress.
Growth rate: Moderate under suitable conditions; slower with heat stress or unsuitable soil chemistry.