Blueberry 'Pink Lemonade': The First Pink-Fruited Blueberry

Gardeners have taken a liking to blueberries in recent years, with the enthusiasm of Jennifer Trehane and her books – the latest one is Blueberries for Everyone – making us all realise what great fruits they are, packed with flavour and goodness. But now, in addition to what have become the familiar dark blue fruited blueberries – we have a variety with pink fruits. First, it’s worth a reminder of what valuable three-season plants blueberries are.

There are the dainty little spring flowers, like blushed white bells in this case; then in summer there are the fruits; and finally there’s fiery autumn leaf colour. ‘Pink Lemonade’ reaches about 5ft/1.5m high and wide, with masses of twiggy branches. The fruits begin green, then become speckled in pink and then take on a rich pink colouring as they mature in August and September. They can be eaten straight from the bush – with ice cream or Greek yogurt, or cooked in muffins, pies or other desserts.

‘Pink Lemonade’ is the result of many years development by the United States Department of Agriculture and has both traditional blueberries, Vaccinium corymbosum, as well as the less common V. ashei and V. darrowi in its background, with a wild white-berried form of the blueberry, V. corymbosum, being especially influential. Like all blueberries, ‘Pink Lemonade’ demands an acid soil and is especially happy in a large container of ericaceous compost. Although it’s self fertile, it will crop more heavily if another blueberry is planted nearby.

Source: RHS My Garden - Blueberry 'Pink Lemonade': The First Pink-Fruited Blueberry

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