Pink Lemonade Blueberry
Vaccinium ‘Pink Lemonade’Pink Lemonade Blueberry is a striking, unique blueberry cultivar prized for its ornamental appeal and delicious, pink‑hued fruit that adds unexpected color to edible landscapes. Developed as a hybrid between rabbiteye and highbush blueberries, this variety produces medium‑sized berries that start green, transition through pale pink, and finally ripen to a vivid deep pink or even rosy purplish shade. This is a rare feature among blueberry types that delights home growers and guests alike.
In spring, Pink Lemonade Blueberry displays clusters of delicate, bell‑shaped pink to white flowers that attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies, enhancing both fruit set and garden biodiversity. These blooms herald the upcoming fruit season and bring soft color to the early garden before berry development begins. Over the course of summer into early fall, the abundant pink berries offer a sweet, mildly tart flavor with subtle citrus notes, living up to their namesake and making them perfect for fresh eating, desserts, salads, and preserves.
Beyond its edible value, this blueberry shrub provides year‑round landscape interest. The glossy green foliage offers texture and structure in the garden, while cool‑season color changes (yellow, orange, and burgundy tones in fall) add ornamental dimension. Even in winter, the reddish stems maintain visual intrigue when the plant is leafless. Compact yet vigorous, Pink Lemonade typically matures to about 4–5 feet tall and wide, making it suitable for beds, borders, hedges, edible gardens, or large containers.
Care Instructions:
Planting: Choose a site with full sun exposure. At least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best berry production and foliage color.
Soil: Plant in acidic, well‑drained, fertile soil with a pH between 4.5–5.5. Blueberry shrubs require acidic conditions to thrive.
Watering: Water deeply and regularly during establishment and throughout dry periods; maintain evenly moist soil without waterlogging.
Fertilizing: Apply an acid‑forming, slow‑release fertilizer formulated for blueberry or acid‑loving plants in early spring before new growth begins.
Mulching: Apply a 2–3″ layer of organic mulch (pine bark, pine needles) around the base to retain soil moisture, moderate temperatures, and help maintain acidity. Keep mulch a few inches from stems.
Pruning: Prune annually in late winter or early spring while dormant to remove dead wood, shape the shrub, and encourage vigorous new canes for future fruiting.
Spacing: Space plants about 4–5 ft apart to allow proper air circulation and room for mature size.
Maintenance: Monitor soil pH, moisture, and overall plant health. Mulch and prune as needed for vigor.
Pollinator Required: No. This plant is self‑fertile, but planting other blueberry varieties with overlapping bloom periods (such as Bluecrop, Duke, or Patriot) can help improve berry yields and size.
Adaptable and hardy, Pink Lemonade performs best in USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8, thriving in landscapes with full sun and well‑drained, acidic soil. Although technically self‑fertile, meaning it will set fruit on its own, fruit production can be enhanced by planting that other blueberry varieties bloom at the same time. Its combination of eye‑catching fruit color, tasty berries, and manageable habit makes this cultivar a standout choice for gardeners seeking both ornamental and edible value.
