{"title":"Blueberries, Honeyberries \u0026 Huckleberries","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe blue berries we grow for cold country: honeyberry, half-high blueberries and huckleberry. Honeyberry is the easy one and grows in about any soil. Blueberries and huckleberries want acid ground, so in most of Montana you'll be building them a spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"mft-more\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eMore about growing blue berries in cold country\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeyberry-bundle-of-4\"\u003eHoneyberry\u003c\/a\u003e (haskap) is one of the first fruits to ripen in our orchards and one of the toughest plants we grow. It takes well below -40°F and gives sweet-tart, blueberry-like fruit even in a short season. Our bundle comes with Aurora, the biggest, most productive and best-tasting honeyberry we've grown in Montana, plus a pollenizer, since honeyberry needs a second variety. Net them, because the birds love them as much as we do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-climate-blueberry-bundle-bundle-of-3\"\u003ecold climate blueberries\u003c\/a\u003e are half-highs from the University of Minnesota, a cross between lowbush and highbush that keeps the plants compact and crazy cold hardy. Most Montana soil runs pH 7.5 to 8.5, so plant them in at least 50% sphagnum peat and add elemental sulfur now and then (don't overdo it). Watering with surface water instead of well water helps, since it's usually less alkaline. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/blueberries-in-alkaline-soil-what-to-grow-instead\"\u003eblueberries in alkaline soil\u003c\/a\u003e page goes deeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur \u003ca href=\"\/products\/huckleberry-bundle-of-3\"\u003ehuckleberry\u003c\/a\u003e (Gaylussacia baccata) comes from the northern Midwest into Saskatchewan. It's not the huckleberry native to Montana, but it does well here and has fruited consistently for us in western Montana for five years. Unless you're planting into forest duff, mix at least 50% sphagnum peat, 25% compost and 25% native soil. On heavy clay, push it to 75% peat, 15% compost and 10% native soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan you grow blueberries in Montana?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, with some work. Half-high blueberries are hardy to zone 3, but they need acid soil, so plant them in plenty of peat and add sulfur. If you don't want to fight your soil, grow honeyberry instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo honeyberries need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Honeyberry needs a second variety, which is why our bundle includes a pollenizer along with Aurora.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat's the hardiest blue berry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoneyberry, hardy to zone 2 and good well below -40°F. Our blueberries and huckleberry are hardy to zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"honeyberry-bundle-of-4","title":"Honeyberry (Bundle of 4) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Honeyberry is a honeyberry shrub rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHaskap, blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (750 to 1,200). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#honeyberry-bundle-of-4\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), very early spring here. Plant the whole bundle together: Aurora needs Tundra nearby to set fruit. If you add more honeyberries later, pick early-to-mid bloomers like Borealis or Indigo types, not the late Boreal series. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#honeyberry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely bothered by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3 Aurora and 1 Tundra. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince we tried a fresh Aurora Honeyberry during Montana State’s Western Ag. Research Center taste testing in July of 2019, we knew we had to grow it. Aurora consistently produces large berries, is easy to harvest, and demonstrates excellent flavor. Aurora is hardy to below -50°F. That said, a friend grows them in the Yukon, where temperatures dip below -65°F! He’s not so sure of the variety, but the point is, they’re tough and very well may grow in such extremes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur pollenizer for the Aurora is Tundra, which we have found to be extremely reliable. The flavor is almost as good as Aurora, although the berry size is slightly smaller and the berries are a hint more tart. They are however, precocious and hardy. Easily hardy to at least -50F, which we must depend on in cold climates if we want Aurora to survive and do well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBundle \u0026amp; Planting Instructions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese honeyberries come in a bundle of 4, 3 Aurora and 1 pollenizer, Tundra. They must be planted together for pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese honeyberries are currently our larger grade and going on their fourth year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Haskap (honeyberry)” by karen_hine, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/55620187@N05\/18469129480\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “Жимолость голубая ягоды Саратов” by ИринаЯ, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:%D0%96%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8C_%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D1%8F%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%8B_%D0%A1%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Blooming Lonicera caerulea” by WildBoar, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Blooming_Lonicera_caerulea.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “Lonicera caerulea 2017” by Max071086, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Lonicera_caerulea_2017.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Honeyberry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Honeyberry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Honeyberry needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant the whole bundle together: Aurora needs Tundra nearby to set fruit. If you add more honeyberries later, pick early-to-mid bloomers like Borealis or Indigo types, not the late Boreal series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Honeyberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Honeyberry hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Honeyberry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 750 and 1,200. That comes from published figures for this variety. Aurora needs roughly 1,000 to 1,200 chill hours. Once that's met, haskaps wake fast in warm spells, so frost can catch early blooms. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#honeyberry-bundle-of-4\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Honeyberry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Honeyberry are fresh eating (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Honeyberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Deer seldom bother Honeyberry, though a hungry winter deer will try almost anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Honeyberry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3 Aurora and 1 Tundra. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3 Year Old Larger Grade: 3 Aurora and 1 Tundra","offer_id":42611829145666,"sku":null,"price":139.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/honeyberry-haskap-ripe-berries.jpg?v=1791617882"},{"product_id":"huckleberry-bundle-of-3","title":"Huckleberry (Bundle of 3) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Huckleberry is a huckleberry shrub rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack huckleberry, mountain huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,500). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#huckleberry-bundle-of-3\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Plant all three seedlings together for the best crop. Huckleberries depend heavily on bees, especially bumblebees, to set fruit. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#huckleberry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeeding wildlife (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 6-18\". Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"98\" data-start=\"84\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"487\" data-start=\"99\"\u003eWe’ve been growing huckleberries for several years now, and while there are a few things to keep in mind, they can thrive outside of their native habitat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"529\" data-start=\"489\"\u003eKey Growing Tips for Huckleberries\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1026\" data-start=\"530\"\u003eFirstly, like their blueberry cousins, huckleberries do not like alkaline soil. Secondly, they have mycelium (soil fungi) dependencies, and when these needs are not met, they suffer. They also do not like direct sunlight, so it's important to amend the soil with some forest duff where huckleberries thrive (see the photo where there is moss, etc., in the pot we grow them in). Periodically adding elemental sulfur and ensuring they aren’t exposed to direct sunlight will also help them flourish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1048\" data-start=\"1028\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"1136\" data-start=\"1049\"\u003eHardy to Zone 3 (-40°F or more), huckleberries can handle some of the coldest climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Vaccinium membranaceum Fruit” by julie from Idaho, united states, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Vaccinium_membranaceum_Fruit.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Mountain Huckleberry (14891688587)” by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Mountain_Huckleberry_(14891688587).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) (43741431161)” by GlacierNPS, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Huckleberry_(Vaccinium_membranaceum)_(43741431161).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “Mountain Huckleberry (14891686107)” by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Mountain_Huckleberry_(14891686107).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Huckleberry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Huckleberry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Huckleberry is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Plant all three seedlings together for the best crop. Huckleberries depend heavily on bees, especially bumblebees, to set fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Huckleberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Huckleberry hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Huckleberry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,500. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. A high-mountain native used to long, snowy winters. Chill won't be a problem anywhere it can grow; soil and shade matter more. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#huckleberry-bundle-of-3\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Huckleberry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Huckleberry are feeding wildlife (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Huckleberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Huckleberry now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Huckleberry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 6-18\". We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"6-18\"","offer_id":42499234922562,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/mountain-huckleberries-picked.jpg?v=1791615742"},{"product_id":"cold-climate-blueberry-bundle-bundle-of-3","title":"Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle (Bundle of 3) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle is a blueberry shrub rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#cold-climate-blueberry-bundle-bundle-of-3\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Plant all three together. Chippewa can fruit alone but gives bigger berries with a partner, and Polaris or St. Cloud needs a second variety, which the bundle supplies. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#blueberry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10), drying (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeldom badly damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 1 Polaris 1 St. Cloud and 1 Chippewa. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBundle Composition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 'Cold Climate Blueberry Bundles' consist of 2 Chippewa and 1 other pollenizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollenizer Options\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pollenizer is a mix of either Polaris, St. Cloud, or Brunswick. Chippewa, Polaris and St. Cloud are all half-high (roughly chest height), as they are a cross between low-bush and highbush. The Brunswick is slightly smaller but only because this is a lowbush blueberry, and won't achieve the same height as the half-high blueberries, but also serves as a great pollenizer for the Chippewa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of hardiness, these blueberries are all hardy to -40F, and should be good for the warmer valleys in Western Montana (and eastern Montana such as valley near Billings), as well as areas that are up and out of the frost. Curious if these can survive -45F or more but they very well may. However, we are being a little cautious without knowing for sure. These are zone 3 blueberries and would be experimental in zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAge \u0026amp; Productivity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are all going on their fourth year, are very well rooted, and will potentially bear the year of planting or the following year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAdditional photo: “Maturing blueberry” by Dladek, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Maturing_blueberry.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Plant all three together. Chippewa can fruit alone but gives bigger berries with a partner, and Polaris or St. Cloud needs a second variety, which the bundle supplies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. That comes from published figures for this variety. These Minnesota half-highs need a long, cold winter, roughly 1,000 hours. They're a poor bet in mild-winter areas. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#cold-climate-blueberry-bundle-bundle-of-3\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle are fresh eating (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot badly. Deer may nibble Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle, but they seldom do real damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 1 Polaris 1 St. Cloud and 1 Chippewa. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Large Size: 1 Polaris 1 St. Cloud and 1 Chippewa","offer_id":43081162817602,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/chippewa-blueberry-fruit.jpg?v=1789019810"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/collections\/Aurora_Honeyberry_Montana_Fruit_Tree_Company_ef521b4f-4c19-44ea-9f20-891bb6cbefa6.jpg?v=1792629022","url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/blueberries-honeyberries-huckleberries.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}