Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) PUTTE

Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) 'Putte'

Dwarf ground-cover variety with wild blueberry flavor and extreme winter hardiness.

'Putte' is historically the first Swedish variety belonging to the Lowbush blueberry group. It proudly carries the prestigious "E-planta" quality designation. Thanks to its low, spreading growth habit, it serves as an excellent edible ground cover. In addition to its high ornamental value, it is prized for its extreme frost resistance and fruits whose outstanding, sweet, and aromatic flavor closely resembles wild forest blueberries.

Key Highlights:

• Wild blueberry flavor: Exceptionally aromatic and sweet fruits.
• Extreme frost hardiness: Bred to withstand harsh Nordic conditions.
• Ornamental value: Excellent ground cover with brilliant red autumn foliage.
• Self-pollinating: Produces fruit without the need for another variety.
• Abundant yield (relative to its small size).

Origin and Registration

• Origin: Sweden (Balsgård Research Station). Released in 1986.
• Trivia: Named after the main character in the famous Swedish children's story "Putte in Blueberry Wood."

Variety Characteristics

Bush

• Growth: Low, spreading to drooping. Spreads horizontally by forming underground rhizomes.
• Dimensions: Reaches a height of only about 0.5 m and a width of 1 m.
• Appearance: In autumn, the leaves turn fantastic shades of bright red.

Fruit

• Size: Medium-sized (average weight approx. 0.8 g).
• Color: Dark blue to black-blue.
• Flavor: Very aromatic, sweet, with a typical "wild" flavor profile.
• Yield: A mature bush yields approximately 1 to 3 liters (approx. 1.7 kg) of fruit.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost: Easily survives even unusually severe winters.
• Moisture (Risk): Roots grow very shallowly and are extremely sensitive to drought. Requires regular watering and a thick layer of mulch (peat/bark).

Cultivation Recommendations

• Location: Best planted in full sun, sheltered from drying winds.
• Pruning: Older canes should be removed regularly to encourage the growth of young, highly productive shoots.

Harvest and Usage

• Harvest time: Mid-late variety. Fruits ripen gradually throughout August (requiring harvest in multiple waves).
• Usage: Ideal for home gardens and fresh consumption.