Alpha Hello Darlin™ Blueberry

Vaccinium x ‘FL09-216’ 

Why Hello Darlin’! This 2021 selection from Southern Living Plants is a fantastic University of Florida highbush-rabbiteye hybrid, bred for its upright and compact growth habit as well as its loads and loads of medium-sized berries! The fall leaf color is a sumptuous dark red. If you’ve got the heat, we’ve got the treat for you and you family! 

Rabbiteye blueberries differ from Northern Highbush blueberries primarily in that they thrive better in hot climates and are not as cold hardy, with early blooming and early ripening characteristics. Also low chill – requires 150+ chill hours to reliably bloom and set fruit. Yields are considerably larger with another rabbiteye variety for cross pollination.

USDA Zone: 7-9

Mature Height:  3′ to 4′ (Medium)

Sun: Full Sun to Part Shade in Hotter Climates

Ripening Time: Early/July

Pollination: Partially Self Fertile

Read our Blueberry Growing Guide