Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) LEGACY

Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) 'Legacy'

A vital and highly productive variety with superior flavor, ideal for warmer regions and southern exposures.

The 'Legacy' variety is an exceptional hybrid that combines the best of northern and southern blueberry genetics. This mid-to-late season variety is highly prized by connoisseurs for its outstanding flavor and high fruit firmness. Due to its unique ancestry, it has a lower chilling requirement, making it an ideal choice for growers in warmer lowlands and vineyard regions where other varieties might lack vigor.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Superior Flavor: One of the highest-rated varieties for its excellent taste profile.
• Excellent Shelf Life: A small, dry picking scar prevents juice leakage and extends freshness.
• High Vitality: A vigorously growing shrub with a sturdy framework that supports heavy crops.
• Heat Adaptability: Thrives in warmer climates thanks to its southern genetic influence.
• Firm berries that handle manipulation and transport exceptionally well.

Origin and Breeding

• Origin: USA (joint program of USDA-ARS and New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station). Released in 1993.
• Crossing: A complex hybrid ('Elizabeth' × ('Florida 4B' × 'Bluecrop')). It incorporates genes from the southern species V. darrowii.

Variety Characteristics

Shrub and Growth

• Vigor and Habit: Very vital and vigorous growth. It has an upright habit and develops a strong, sturdy branch structure.
• Genetics: The southern genetics provide the ability to grow and fruit successfully even in areas with milder winters.

Fruit

• Size: Medium-sized berries that are very uniform in shape and size.
• Quality: The fruits are exceptionally firm. The stem scar remains small and dry after picking, which is key for both commercial and home storage.
• Flavor: Excellent and harmonious. The flavor profile is one of the most distinctive advantages of this variety.

Resilience and Requirements

• Frost: The wood is sufficiently hardy, but the variety is more sensitive to late spring frosts due to its southern heritage.
• Location: Recommended for warmer areas and plains where the risk of late frosts is lower. Requires standard acidic, well-drained soil.

Harvest and Yield

• Harvest Time: Mid-late variety. Ripens during August, approximately one to two weeks after 'Bluecrop'.
• Yield: Productive and stable. Provides consistent crops of high-quality, firm berries.